Systems and methods for facilitating long-distance, automated interaction with consumables

Abstract

A system for remotely detecting events with an article, specifically for detecting when an article is opened. The system can involve coupling a communication interface with an article. The system can connect to a first network to receive configuration details about a second network.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for remotely detecting interactions with a deliverable article comprising:
 a deliverable article; and
 a communications system coupled to the article comprising:
 a first sensor configured to detect at least one interaction event occurring to the article, wherein the at least one interaction event comprises the article being opened; 
 a wireless communication interface; 
 memory; and 
 a processor configured to:
 transmit, using the wireless communications interface, interaction data from related to the at least one interaction event representing that the first sensor has detected the article being opened. 
 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is a sensor that detects light when the package is opened. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one interaction event further comprises detecting movement of one sheet of paper relative to a second sheet of paper, wherein the first and second sheets of paper are part of the same bound volume. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one interaction event further comprises a sheet of paper being removed from an envelope. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the communications system further comprises a camera, wherein the processor is further configured to:
 capture, using the camera, an image of the person who opened the article.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the processor is further configured to:
 transmit the image using the wireless communications interface. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine the location of the article based on an attribute of a wireless network detected by the wireless communication interface.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the article further comprises a speaker and wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine the identity of a person associated with the at least one interaction event;   select an audio recording associated with the identified person; and   play the audio recording through the speaker.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the article refers to a bill and wherein the communications system further comprises a second sensor configured to detect authorization to pay the bill. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second sensor is an NFC reader, wherein the processor is further configured to:
 receive data from the second sensor;   determine that the data from the second sensor constitutes authorization to pay the bill from a device.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second sensor is a capacitive trace on the bill and the second sensor is wirelessly connected to the processor and wherein the processor is further configured to:
 detect a touch input on the capacitive trace;   send a message to a portable electronic device, wherein the message prompts the user of the portable electronic device to confirm payment of the bill;   receive authorization from the portable electronic device; and   authorize payment of the bill.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 present, upon detecting the article being opened, a message indicating a promotional purchase option is available for a predetermined duration of time; and   present an indication that the communications system is configured to determine when the predetermined duration of time has expired.   
     
     
         13 . A method for detecting interaction with a deliverable article; wherein the deliverable article is coupled with an event detection system; wherein the event detection system includes a memory module, a power source, a sensor for detecting the deliverable article being opened, a communication interface, and a processor; and wherein the method comprises:
 detecting, using the sensor, the deliverable article being opened;   transmitting, using the wireless communications interface, interaction data representing that the deliverable article has been opened.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 recording the time that the deliverable article is opened; 
 indicating that an offer is available for acceptance within a determined time period; 
 detecting, using the event detection system, an acceptance of the offer; and 
 determining if the acceptance was made within the determined time period. 
 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer executable instructions stored thereon, the instructions being effective cause a computer to:
 detect a deliverable article being opened using a first sensor configured for detecting the deliverable article being opened, wherein the computer is coupled to the deliverable article; and   transmit, using a wireless communications interface, interaction data representing that the deliverable article has been opened.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the instruction are further effective to cause the computer to:
 record the time that the deliverable article is opened;   indicate that an offer is available for acceptance within a determined time period;   detect an acceptance of the offer; and   determine if the acceptance was made within the determined time period.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the first sensor is a sensor that detects light when the package is opened. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the communications system further comprises a camera, wherein the processor is further configured to:
 capture, using the camera, an image of the person who opened the article.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the article refers to a bill and wherein the communications system further comprises a second sensor configured to detect authorization to pay the bill. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , wherein the second sensor is a capacitive trace on the bill and is wirelessly connected to the processor, and wherein the instruction are further effective to cause the computer to:
 detect a touch input on the capacitive trace;   send a message to a portable electronic device, wherein the message prompts the user of the portable electronic device to confirm payment of the bill;   receive authorization from the portable electronic device; and   authorize payment of the bill.