METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PREVENTING UNINTENDED SPILL OF LIQUID FROM A VESSEL

Abstract

An arrangement is provided comprising a vessel (1) for holding a liquid. The arrangement further comprises at least one of a controllable lock (3) to controllably enable a release of said vessel from a support (2) and a controllable lock (4) to controllably enable opening of said vessel (1). The arrangement further comprises a controller (5) to control the at least one controllable lock. The arrangement is provided with a sensor unit (6) including at least one sensor to sense a mechanical interaction occurring when the vessel is gripped and to issue a sense signal (C.sub.6) that is indicative for said mechanical interaction, wherein said controller controls the at least one controllable lock (3, 4) dependent on said sense signal (C.sub.6) and on one or more safety conditions.

Claims

1. Arrangement comprising a vessel for holding a liquid, the arrangement further comprising at least one of a controllable lock to controllably enable a release of said vessel from a support and a controllable lock to controllably enable opening of said vessel, the arrangement further comprising a controller to control the at least one controllable lock, wherein the arrangement is provided with a sensor unit including at least one sensor to sense a mechanical interaction occurring when the vessel is gripped and to issue a sense signal (C.sub.6) that is indicative for said mechanical interaction, wherein said controller controls the at least one controllable lock dependent on said sense signal (C.sub.6).

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is arranged in a handle for carrying the vessel and the at least one sensor is arranged to measure a contact area between a users hand and the handle, wherein the sense signal (C.sub.6) is indicative for a size of said contact area, and is compared with one or more safety conditions including a first threshold value, and wherein the controller prevents unlocking of the controllable lock, therewith disabling release of said vessel from said support, if said indicated size is less than the first threshold value.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is arranged in a handle for carrying the vessel and the at least one sensor is arranged to measure a magnitude of force exerted by a users hand on the handle, wherein the sense signal is indicative for the magnitude of said force, and is compared with one or more safety conditions including a second threshold value, and wherein the controller prevents unlocking of the controllable lock, therewith disabling release of said vessel from said support, if said indicated magnitude is less than the second threshold value.

4. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is arranged to measure an amount of vibration, wherein the sense signal is indicative for amount of vibration, and is compared with one or more safety conditions including a third threshold value, and wherein the controller prevents unlocking of the controllable lock, therewith disabling release of said vessel from said support if said indicated amount exceeds the third threshold value.

5. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is arranged to measure a magnitude of a force aiming to remove the vessel from the support, wherein the sense signal is indicative for the magnitude of said force, and is compared with one or more safety conditions including a fourth threshold value, and wherein the controller prevents unlocking of the controllable lock, therewith disabling release of said vessel from said support if said indicated magnitude is less than the fourth threshold value.

6. Arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the sense signal is compared with one or more safety conditions including a fifth threshold value greater than said fourth threshold value, wherein the controller prevents unlocking of the controllable lock, therewith disabling release of said vessel from said support if said indicated magnitude exceeds the exceeds the fifth threshold value.

7. Arrangement according to 1, wherein the controller does not enable unlocking of the controllable lock, until said one or more safety conditions are met during a predetermined consecutive minimum amount of time.

8. Arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor to measure a property of the liquid (L) inside the vessel and to issue a sense signal (C.sub.7, C.sub.8) indicative for a value of said measured property and wherein the controller is arranged to adapt at least one safety condition of said one or more safety conditions depending on the value of said measured property indicated by the sense signal.

9. Arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is a weight sensor and the measured property is a weight of the liquid (L) inside the vessel.

10. Arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor and the measured property is a temperature of the liquid (L) inside the vessel.

11. Arrangement according to claim 1, including a facility for logging and/or analyzing the sense signals.

12. Arrangement according to claim 11, additionally including a user identification unit for associating the sensed signals to an individual.

13. Arrangement according to claim 11 wherein said one or more safety conditions are adapted in accordance with said logged and analyzed signals.

14. Arrangement according to claim 1, further including a feedback element coupled to the controller and arranged to indicate to the user whether the at least one safety condition is met.

15. Method for preventing unintended spill of liquid from a vessel for holding a liquid (L), the arrangement comprising at least one of a controllable lock to controllably enable a release of said vessel from a support, and a controllable lock to controllably enable opening of said vessel, the method comprising sensing a mechanical interaction occurring when gripping the vessel and issuing a sense signal that is indicative for said mechanical interaction, controlling said at least one controllable lock dependent on said sense signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] These and other aspects are described in more detail with reference to the drawing. Therein:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows an example of an arrangement wherein the present invention may suitably be applied.

[0032] FIG. 2A, 2B schematically shows a first embodiment of an arrangement according to the present invention,

[0033] FIG. 3A, 3B schematically shows a second embodiment of an arrangement according to the present invention,

[0034] FIG. 4A, 4B schematically shows a third embodiment of an arrangement according to the present invention,

[0035] FIG. 5A, 5B schematically shows a fourth embodiment of an arrangement according to the present invention,

[0036] FIG. 6A, 6B schematically shows a fifth embodiment of an arrangement according to the present invention,

[0037] FIG. 7 schematically shows an example of a method according to the present invention,

[0038] FIG. 8 schematically shows a sixth embodiment of an arrangement according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements unless otherwise indicated.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an example of an arrangement wherein the present invention may suitably be applied. In this example the arrangement is a water cooker including a vessel 1 and a support 2.

[0041] FIG. 2A, 2B schematically shows an example of such an arrangement including improved safety means according to the present invention. Therein FIG. 2A shows the vessel 1 comprising a liquid L and its support 2, and FIG. 2B schematically shows an embodiment of the control circuitry used therein.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, 2B the arrangement comprises a controllable lock 3 to controllably enable a release of the vessel from the support 2. The lock 3 comprises mutually cooperating parts 3a, 3b, one of which is arranged in the vessel and one of which is arranged in the support. In the locked state the parts grip 3a, 3b grip into each other to prevent that the vessel is released from the support. Alternatively, magnetic means may be used to prevent release. The magnetic means may include permanent magnetic parts that are sufficiently strong to prevent a release, and an electro magnetic element to temporarily compensate the permanent magnetic field so as to allow release. The support should provide for sufficient stability to support the vessel, and be capable to prevent that the vessel is moved if it is not released by the controllable lock 3. The support may be itself of sufficient weight to provide stability and prevent that the vessel is moved. For example, the support may be part of a beverage preparation apparatus that is to too heavy to be moved unintentionally by the user. Alternatively the support may be a part that is adhered or mounted to a carrier, e.g. a wall, a counter, or a fridge door.

[0043] The arrangement further comprising a controller 5 to control the controllable lock 3. The arrangement is provided with a sensor unit 6 that includes at least one sensor to sense a mechanical interaction occurring when the vessel is gripped. In response thereto it issues a sense signal C.sub.6 that is indicative for the mechanical interaction. Dependent on the sense signal C.sub.6 and on one or more safety conditions the controller 5 controls the controllable lock 3 with a control signal C.sub.3.

[0044] Various options are possible to generate the sense signal C.sub.6. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A a sensor unit 6 is provided in a handle 11 for carrying the vessel 1. In an embodiment the sensor 6 is arranged to measure a contact area between a users hand and the handle 11. The sensor 6 may for example include a set of pressure sensitive elements arranged on a surface of the handle. In response thereto a sense signal C.sub.6 is provided that is indicative for a size of the contact area. The sense signal may for example indicate which number of pressure sensitive elements senses a pressure. In this embodiment the one or more safety conditions include a first threshold value and the controller 5 prevents unlocking of the controllable lock if the indicated size is less than the first threshold value. For example the handle may be provided with 10 pressure sensitive elements and unlocking may be prevented if more than 3 of these 10 pressure sensitive elements do not sense a pressure. Therewith it is prevented that a user releases the vessel 1 from its support 2 if s/he does not properly hold the vessel. In order to facilitate the user in properly handling the vessel a feedback element 9, e.g. a light emitting element, is provided that is controlled by a signal C.sub.9 and that indicates the user whether the lock 3 is released or not.

[0045] Alternatively an audible signal or a sense signal may be used for this purpose, for example producing the sound of a clearly audible click or inducing a vibration in the handle upon unlocking the lock.

[0046] In another embodiment, the sensor is arranged to measure a magnitude of force exerted by a users hand on the handle. To that end the sensor 6 may comprise one or more pressure sensitive elements may be used that signal a magnitude of a force exerted thereon. In case more than one pressure sensitive element is used that each sense a force, the sense signal may indicate the average value or the minimum value of these forces as the magnitude. In this embodiment including the sensor to measure a magnitude of force the one or more safety conditions include a second threshold value and the controller prevents unlocking of the controllable lock if the indicated magnitude is less than the second threshold value. Therewith it is prevented that a user releases the vessel 1 from its support 2 if s/he does not firmly hold the vessel.

[0047] In again another embodiment the sensor 6 is arranged to measure an amount of vibration and the sense signal is indicative for amount of vibration. For this purpose an acceleration sensor may be used. Although a vibration/acceleration sensor is suitably arranged in the handle 11 it may also be arranged in another part of the vessel 1 or even in the support 2. The one or more safety conditions include a third threshold value and the controller prevents unlocking of the controllable lock if the indicated amount of vibration exceeds the third threshold value. Therewith release of the vessel from the support is disabled if the person attempting to hold the vessel has an amount of tremor that would likely result in an unintended spill of liquid from the vessel if it were released from its support.

[0048] It is noted that two or more of the above-mentioned safety precautions may be combined. E.g. the arrangement may include two or more of a contact area sensor, a grip force sensor and a tremor sensor, and the controller may prevent a release until each of the safety conditions is met.

[0049] As a further precaution the controller may include a timer to verify whether the one or more safety conditions are met during at least a minimum amount of time and prevent unlocking of the controllable lock until said one or more safety conditions are continuously met during that minimum amount of time.

[0050] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 3A, 3B the arrangement includes a sensor 7 that is arranged to measure a magnitude of a force aiming to remove the vessel from the support. The sense signal C.sub.7 provided by the sensor 7 is indicative for the magnitude of the force. In this embodiment the one or more safety conditions include a fourth threshold value and the controller 5 prevents unlocking of the controllable lock if said indicated magnitude is less than the fourth threshold value. Therewith the controller disables release of the vessel 1 from the support 2 if it appears that the person aiming to lift the vessel 1 from the support has insufficient strength to stably hold the vessel 1. As shown in FIG. 3A, 3b, the sensor 7 may be combined with one or more other sensors, for example with a sensor 6 that measures a contact area, a grip force and/or a tremor and the controller 5 may disable releasing of the vessel if a combination of sense signals indicates that releasing the vessel would involve a safety risk. Also in this embodiment a timer means may be provided to determine if the required safety conditions are continuously met during a predetermined minimum amount of time.

[0051] In case that a person not familiar with the safety mechanism attempts to release the vessel by exerting an excessive force uncontrolled movements of the vessel could occur if the controllable vessel is unlocked. This may be prevented by properly instructing the user. Alternatively, the one or more safety conditions may include a fifth threshold value greater than said fourth threshold value. In this case the controller prevents unlocking of the controllable lock if the indicated magnitude exceeds the exceeds the fifth threshold value. Therewith it is prevented that a user release the vessel from its support with excessive force.

[0052] As an alternative safety measure, illustrated in FIG. 4A, 4B a controllable lock 4 may be provided to controllably enable opening of the vessel 1. As in the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3A, 3B arrangement is provided with a sensor unit 6 that includes at least one sensor to sense a mechanical interaction occurring when the vessel is gripped and to issue a sense signal C.sub.6 that is indicative for the mechanical interaction. Likewise the controller issues a control signal C.sub.4 to control the controllable lock 4 dependent on the sense signal C.sub.6 and on one or more safety conditions. The safety conditions may include one or more of a minimum contact area, a minimum grip force, and a maximum amount of vibration as set out in detail for the embodiments shown in and described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3A, 3B. Also additional safety conditions may be applicable, such as minimum time duration that one or more of the safety conditions are met. An embodiment as shown in FIG. 4A, 4B, only having a controllable lock 4 for controllably opening the vessel 1 has the advantage that a support for the vessel is not necessary. Therewith a support 2 (indicated by dotted lines) can be absent or of light-weight. Even if the situation occurs that a user turns out not to be capable of properly handling the vessel health risks are prevented as the lock for controllably opening the vessel is maintained into a locked state until it is detected that the vessel is reliably held. An additional orientation sensor may be provided, to provide a signal indicative of an orientation of the vessel, and the controller 5 may be arranged to control the lock 4 so as to keep the vessel closed if a tilt angle is detected that exceeds a value given a detected amount of liquid in the vessel 1. I.e. the larger the detected amount of liquid in the vessel the smaller the allowed tilt angle so that the liquid L cannot flow out of the vessel 1 at a too large rate, even if it is firmly held.

[0053] FIG. 5A, 5B shows an alternative embodiment, wherein the arrangement includes both a controllable lock 3 to controllably enable a release of the vessel from a support 2 and a controllable lock 4 to controllably enable opening of the vessel 1. In this embodiment the controllable lock 3 prevents a user from improperly releasing the vessel 1 from the support. In the inadvertent case that the user suffers from a sudden attack after releasing the vessel from the support the controllable lock 4 prevents opening of the vessel 1, and therewith provides for a complementary measure to prevent injuries. As the sudden release of control is a sign of a serious health problem a facility may be included that issues an alarm signal, for example to an alarm center to alert a caretaker.

[0054] The control signals C.sub.3, C.sub.4 for the controllable lock 3 to controllably enable a release of the vessel from its support 2 and for the controllable lock 4 to controllably enable opening of the vessel 1, may be identical. Alternatively, mutually different safety conditions may apply for issuing a control signal C.sub.3 enabling a release of the vessel from its support 2 and for issuing a control signal C.sub.4 enabling opening of the vessel 1.

[0055] FIG. 6A, 6B illustrate a further embodiment. Therein further a sensor 8 is provided to measure a property of the liquid L inside the vessel 1 and to issue a sense signal C.sub.8 indicative for a value of the measured property. The controller is arranged to adapt at least one safety condition of the one or more safety conditions depending on the value of said measured property indicated by the sense signal C.sub.8.

[0056] In the embodiment shown the sensor is a temperature sensor 8 and the measured property is a temperature inside the vessel 1. For example, if the arrangement is a water cooker, the at least one safety condition may be adapted in that the lock 3 is maintained in an unlocked state if the detected temperature of the liquid is less than a temperature threshold value, e.g. 35 degrees C. Therewith the user is not hindered when aiming to fill (up) the vessel and the temperature of the remainder of water inside the water cooker would not be high enough to cause injuries.

[0057] As another example, the sensor may be a weight sensor and the measured property is a weight of the liquid L inside the vessel 1. The sensor 7 in the embodiment of FIG. 3A, 3B, may for example be arranged to sense this property. If the controller 5 checks a contact grip area as a safety condition, than the first threshold value for the contact area may be increased with an increasing value for the measured weight. Likewise, if the controller 5 checks a force exerted by a users hand, the second threshold value for that force may be increased with an increasing value for the measured weight. Similarly, if the controller 5 checks an amount of vibration then a third threshold value for the amount of vibration may be decreased with an increasing value for the measured weight. Likewise a fourth threshold value for a magnitude of a force aiming to lift the vessel may be increased with an increasing value for the measured weight.

[0058] FIG. 7 illustrates a method for preventing unintended spill of liquid from a vessel 1 for holding a liquid L. The vessel is part of an arrangement that comprises a controllable lock 3 to controllably enable a release of the vessel from a support, and/or a controllable lock 4 to controllably enable opening of the vessel 1, for example according to one of the embodiments shown in FIG. 2A, 2B up to FIG. 6A, 6B. The method illustrated in FIG. 7 comprises the following steps.

[0059] In a first step S1 a temperature of a liquid L inside the vessel is measured. If it is determined that the temperature does not (N) exceed a threshold temperature, e.g. 35 degrees C., or no liquid is present inside the vessel 1, then in step S2 the controller 5 controls lock 3 and/or 4 in an unlocked mode so that the user can handle the vessel in an unrestricted manner. If it is determined that the temperature does (Y) exceed the threshold temperature the controller 5 by default sets lock 3 and/or 4 in an locked mode in step S3. In another embodiment the default state lock 3 and/or 4 may always be locked, regardless the temperature or other state of the liquid. However, the optional first step increases user friendliness while not jeopardizing user safety. It is noted however that in any case the lock 3 and/or 4 may have a locked fail safe state, for example realized by mechanical means so as to ensure that the lock 3 and/or 4 would be inadvertently released in case of a power failure for example.

[0060] In step S4 it determined whether or not the vessel is reliably held by a user. This determination may be based one or more of grip force detection, contact area detection and vibration detection as discussed above. If this is not the case (N) the lock(s) is/are not released. The detected lack of sufficient grip may be indicated to the user by a visual or audible signal in step S5. If it is detected (Y) that the user reliably holds the vessel, the method proceeds with step S6.

[0061] In step S6 it is detected whether or not the force exerted by the user aiming to lift the vessel from the support is sufficient to handle the vessel. Additionally, it may be determined whether or not this force is not too high. If the detected magnitude of the force complies (Y) with this/these safety requirement(s), the lock(s) is/are unlocked. Otherwise (N) the detected lack of sufficient lifting force or detected excessive lifting force may be indicated to the user in step S7, for example by a visual feedback, e.g. indicating how the currently allowed lifting force relates to the lower and optional upper bound for the lifting force. It is noted that one of the verification steps S4 and S6 may be absent. Although steps S6 is shown as a step subsequent to step S4, their order may be reversed. Alternatively, the verification of step S4 and of step S6 may take place simultaneously.

[0062] FIG. 8 shows additional optional features in an arrangement according to the present invention. For clarity therein some parts which were described with reference to the previous FIGs are not shown thereon.

[0063] As in the embodiments previously described, the controller 5 receives sense signals C.sub.6 that is indicative for a mechanical interaction occurring when the vessel is gripped. Also the controller 5 may receive one or more additional signals, for example a sense signal C.sub.7 indicative for an amount of liquid present in the vessel and/or a sense signal C.sub.8 indicative for a temperature of the liquid. In response thereto the controller 5 issues signals C.sub.3 and/or C.sub.4, to control a controllable lock to controllably enable a release of the vessel from a support and/or a controllable lock to controllably enable opening of said vessel. Also the controller 5 may use a control signal C.sub.9 to control visible, audible or sensible means to give feedback to the user about whether or not the one or more safety conditions are met and possibly informing the user what should change to meet the safety condition(s).

[0064] In addition the arrangement may comprise a facility 54 for logging and/or analyzing the sense signals. Information exchange between the logging/analyzing facility 54 and the controller 5 takes place by communication signals C.sub.54. The logged content may for be examined by a healthcare profession to determine whether a health condition of the user is developing in a positive or negative sense. The logged content may also be used for adapting the one or more safety conditions. For example, if it appears from the logged data that the risk is too high that the user will be subject to an attack or stroke, the controller may strengthen the safety requirements to be met or even set the lock(s) into a locked state until a reset takes place. In the embodiment shown the controller is further coupled to a transceiver 52 and capable of exchanging communication signals C.sub.52 therewith. In case it appears from an analysis of the sense signals that the health condition of the user is critical, this may be immediately reported to the health care professional. Alternatively or in addition the healthcare professional may inspect the logged contents via this transceiver at his/her own volition.

[0065] The arrangement may additionally include a user identification unit 53 to associating the sensed signals C.sub.6 to the individual using the arrangement. The user identification unit 53 may determine the identity of the user from biometric data, e.g. by detection of the users fingerprints where the handle is gripped, or by recognizing patterns in a heart rate signal. The user identification unit 53 signals the controller by communication signals C.sub.53. In case more than one user uses the arrangement, the controller can selectively associate the sensed signals C.sub.6 with a respective user. Therewith the logged data is more reliable and an analysis thereof can provide a more accurate diagnosis of the individual.

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, the controller 5 may be coupled to a body coupled communication (BCC) transceiver 51 and capable of exchanging communication signals C.sub.51 therewith. In this way the controller may for example recognize the user's identity by body coupled communication with an identity card worn by the user.

[0067] As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the elements listed in the claims are meant to include any hardware (such as separate or integrated circuits or electronic elements) or software (such as programs or parts of programs) which reproduce in operation or are designed to reproduce a specified function, be it solely or in conjunction with other functions, be it in isolation or in co-operation with other elements. The invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the apparatus claim enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware.

[0068] Computer program product is to be understood to mean any software product stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk, downloadable via a network, such as the Internet, or marketable in any other manner.

[0069] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, modules and/or units, these elements, components, modules and/or units should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, module and/or unit from another element, component, module and/or unit. Thus, a first element, component, module and/or unit discussed herein could be termed a second element, component, module and/or unit without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

[0070] As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, includes, including, has, having or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, or refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0071] Also, use of the a or an are employed to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0072] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.