Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A sensor device (8, 15, 20) for monitoring the volume of granular food or candy contained in a pick-and-mix container (2), wherein the sensor device (8, 15, 20) comprises at least one pair of electrodes (10, 11), a capacitance meter (12) and a controller (13). The capacitance meter (12) is connected to the at least one pair (9, 16) of electrodes (10, 11, 17, 18) and operable to measure the capacitance over the at least one pair (9, 16) of electrodes (10, 11, 17, 18) to produce an output indicative of the capacitance through the container (2). The controller (13) is operable to determine and report a content level of the container (2) based on at least the output of the capacitance meter (12) and calibration data related to the type of container and/or to the type of content, and/or operable to monitor the output of the capacitance meter (12) to determine a state of low content level based on at least the output of the capacitance meter (12) and calibration data related to the type of container and/or to the type of content, and to emit an alert signal upon determination of said state of low content level.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim