Home network of connected consumer devices

Abstract

Connected consumer device systems are described. The consumer products associated with the systems can be powered or non-powered. The systems include one or more sensors to detect the state of the consumer product. An exemplary consumer product is designed to collect material and then be replaced once a desired amount of material is collected. The sensor is capable of detecting the existence and/or volume of material collected by the consumer product and is capable thereafter to communicate data to a hub and/or computing device. The communicated data can alert a consumer of a suggested action based on the data; for example, replace the consumer product as it has collected material. The communicated data can also trigger access to an e-commerce gateway to order more consumer products.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for managing connected consumer products, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a consumer product sensor-containing device configured for association with a consumable consumer product, wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device comprises a transmitter, an antenna, a battery, and a sensor that is selected from the group comprising a moisture sensor, a volatile organic compound sensor, an accelerometer, and combinations thereof;   b. establishing communication between the consumer product sensor-containing device and a cell phone network and/or home network;   c. wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device detects a change in a state of the consumable consumer product and communicates the change via the cell phone network and/or home network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device comprises both a moisture senor and a volatile organic compound sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device comprises both a moisture senor and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device comprises a moisture senor, a volatile organic compound sensor, and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , whereupon the consumer product sensor-containing device detecting a change in a state of the consumable consumer product triggers an action comprising updating a shopping list and providing the shopping list to a user of the consumable consumer product. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device comprises memory. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device utilizes remote memory. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the remote memory comprises a cloud computer. 
     
     
         9 . A method for managing connected consumer products, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a consumer product sensor-containing device configured for association with a consumable consumer product, wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device comprises a transmitter, an antenna, a battery, and a sensor that is selected from the group comprising a moisture sensor, a volatile organic compound sensor, an accelerometer, and combinations thereof;   b. establishing communication between the consumer product sensor-containing device and a cell phone network and/or home network;   c. whereupon the consumer product sensor-containing device detecting a change in a state of the consumable consumer product triggers an action comprising sending an email or text regarding the state of the consumable consumer product via the cell phone network and/or home network.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device comprises memory. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device utilizes remote memory. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the remote memory comprises a cloud computer. 
     
     
         13 . A method for managing connected consumer products, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a consumer product sensor-containing device configured for association with a consumable consumer product, wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device comprises a transmitter, an antenna, a battery, and a sensor that is selected from the group comprising a moisture sensor, a volatile organic compound sensor, an accelerometer, and combinations thereof;   b. establishing communication between the consumer product sensor-containing device and a cell phone network and/or home network;   c. whereupon the consumer product sensor-containing device detecting a change in a state of the consumable consumer product triggers an action comprising creating an e-commerce gateway for ordering more of the consumable consumer product.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device comprises memory. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device utilizes remote memory. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the remote memory comprises a cloud computer. 
     
     
         17 . A method for managing connected consumer products, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a consumer product sensor-containing device configured for association with a consumable consumer product, wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device comprises a transmitter, an antenna, a battery, and a sensor that is selected from the group comprising a moisture sensor, a volatile organic compound sensor, an accelerometer, and combinations thereof;   b. establishing communication between the consumer product sensor-containing device and a cell phone network and/or home network;   c. whereupon the consumer product sensor-containing device communicates a power status of the consumer product sensor-containing device to a user controlling the consumer product sensor-containing device via the cell phone network and/or home network.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device comprises memory. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the consumer product sensor-containing device utilizes remote memory. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the remote memory comprises a cloud computer.