Proximity detection in networked freezer stocking management

Abstract

A system for an ice merchandiser having a compressor in a compressor enclosure to cool the ice merchandiser includes a proximity sensor positioned to detect an amount of ice within the ice merchandiser, and a communications component coupled to the proximity sensor to receive signals from the proximity sensor representative of the amount of ice in the ice merchandiser, wherein the communications component is configured to convert the received signals to a digital format and publish the signals via a network connection.

1 . A system comprising:
 an ice merchandiser compartment;   a compressor in a compressor enclosure to cool the ice merchandiser compartment:   an optical proximity sensor positioned on a ceiling of the ice merchandizer compartment to detect an amount of ice within the ice merchandiser compartment within a field of proximity detection of the optical proximity sensor; and   a communications component coupled to the optical proximity sensor to receive signals from the optical proximity sensor representative of the amount of ice in the ice merchandiser compartment, wherein the communications component is configured to convert the received signals to a digital format and publish the signals via a network connection.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the optical proximity sensor further comprises a heating element proximate the optical proximity sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the optical proximity sensor further comprises a housing surrounding at least the optical proximity sensor, and wherein the heating element comprises a light emitting diode within the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the light emitting diode is positioned to heat air within the housing to remove condensation from the housing and to provide light to illuminate an inside of the ice merchandiser compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  and further comprising a controller to turn on the light emitting diode to remove condensation, and to control the optical proximity sensor to provide signals from the optical proximity sensor while the diode is on. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the optical proximity sensor and light emitting diode are supported by a circuit board. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the optical proximity sensor further comprises a housing surrounding at least the optical proximity sensor, and wherein the heating element comprises a heating wire configured to heat air within the housing to remove condensation from the housing to facilitate capture of proximity measurements of the ice merchandiser compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the optical proximity sensor provides at least a thirty-five degree field of proximity detection inside the ice merchandiser compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the optical proximity sensor is angled to enable proximity detection of objects on an entire floor of the ice merchandiser compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the communications component comprises a web server and a wireless network connection. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 an ice merchandiser compartment;   a first optical proximity sensor disposed on a ceiling of the ice merchandizer compartment and adapted to generate a plurality of analog proximity measurement signals representative of an amount of a first portion of ice in the ice merchandiser compartment within a field of proximity detection of the first optical proximity sensor;   a second optical proximity sensor disposed on the ceiling of the ice merchandizer compartment and adapted generate a plurality of analog proximity measurement signals representative of an amount of a second portion of ice in the ice merchandiser compartment within a field of proximity detection of the second optical proximity sensor; and   a communication module adapted to:
 receive the plurality of analog proximity measurement signals from the optical proximity sensor; 
 convert the analog proximity measurement signals to digital signals; and 
 publish the digital signals via a network connection. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the system comprises a web server coupled to the optical proximity sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the system is located in a container that includes a compressor for the ice merchandiser compartment. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein:
 different size bags of ice are placed on each side of the ice merchandiser compartment; 
 a first size bag of ice is disposed so as to be detectable by the first optical proximity sensor; and 
 a second size bag of ice is disposed so as to be detectable by the second optical proximity sensor. 
 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 receiving proximity measurement signals from an optical proximity sensor positioned on a ceiling of an ice merchandizer compartment to detect an amount of ice within the ice merchandiser compartment within a field of proximity detection of the optical proximity sensor;   controlling the optical proximity sensor to obtain proximity measurements from the inside of the ice merchandiser compartment sufficient to determine if ice should be restocked;   controlling a heater proximate the optical proximity sensor to remove condensation from the optical proximity sensor; and   publishing the proximity measurements via a wireless network connection to facilitate remote monitoring of the ice merchandiser compartment.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  and further comprising controlling the optical proximity sensor to provide proximity measurements on a selected schedule. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  and further comprising controlling the heater to remove condensation a selected time prior to providing proximity measurements. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  and further comprising sensing temperature within the ice merchandiser compartment and publishing the sensed temperature along with the proximity measurements. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the optical proximity sensor includes an infrared sensor, a laser rangefinder, or a reflective photocell sensor. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the optical proximity sensor includes an infrared sensor, a laser rangefinder, or a reflective photocell sensor.