公开(公告)号：US20210348960A1

公开(公告)日：2021-11-11

申请号：US16866645

申请日：2020-05-05

Applicant: Computime Ltd.

Inventor： Kam Tim Cheung

IPC: G01F23/26 ,  G08B21/18

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a capacitive sensor that has electrodes externally positioned on or proximate to the surface of a non-metallic container for detecting a usage level inside the container, where the contents may be liquid or granular solids. By generating an excitation signal to the electrodes and processing the resulting signal waveform, the usage level may be detected with respect to the position of the electrodes. Consequently, embodiments provide a marker that is indicative of usage conditions such as a refill condition or an empty condition in order to inform the user to purchase a refill of the contents. Embodiments may operate with an Internet of Things device so that physical goods may be automatically ordered when the contents are at or below a predetermined level. Embodiments may provide a low cost design and may be used in many applications, such as an oil diffuser.

公开(公告)号：US11411297B1

公开(公告)日：2022-08-09

申请号：US17587383

申请日：2022-01-28

Applicant: Computime Ltd.

Inventor： Kam Tim Cheung ,  Wai Yin Shum

IPC: H04W24/08 ,  H01Q1/24 ,  H01Q1/10 ,  H04B1/38 ,  G01N33/24 ,  H01Q1/12 ,  H04Q9/00

Abstract: A buried wireless unit measures various soil parameters of surrounding soil and reports them to centralized equipment. In order to provide reliable communication with the centralized equipment, the buried wireless unit may extend a pop-up antenna when transmitting soil parameter data and may subsequently retract the antenna. The wireless unit unwinds and winds a wire, where an electrical cable connects the antenna to a communication module, in order to extend and retract the antenna, respectively. The wireless unit comprises a bendable sleeve enabling the antenna to be flexible so that damage to the wireless unit is avoided if a vehicle (such as a tractor) rolls over the wireless unit. In order to preserve the battery powering the wireless unit, the wireless unit may skip retracting the antenna when the wireless unit determines that charging level of the battery is below a predetermined charging level.