Smart Container

Abstract

A method and apparatus for coupling at least one electronic component to a smart container is disclosed. A fluid level indicator transducer coupled to the smart container for determining a level of fluid in the smart container and a hollow casing coupled to the smart container for storing at least one cigarette therein are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for coupling at least one electronic component to a smart container, said method comprising coupling at least one of:
 a fluid level indicator transducer to the smart container for determining a level of fluid in the smart container; and   a hollow casing to the smart container for storing at least one cigarette therein.   
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least one of:
 coupling a magnetic compass to the smart container for providing a directional guide to a user; and 
 coupling a heart rate sensor to the smart container for determining a user's heart rate. 
 
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least one of:
 coupling at least one of a flash light and a laser pointer to the smart container for emitting a beam of light; and 
 coupling at least one of an AM/FM radio receiver and a digital music player to the smart container for playing a desired sound track for a user. 
 
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least one of:
 coupling at least one of a digital camera, and a motion video recorder to the smart container for capturing high resolution images and audio/video recordings; and 
 coupling a pedometer to the smart container for determining a plurality of parameters including but not limited to a number of steps traversed by a user, a time walked by the user, a distance that has been covered by the user, a distance that remains to be covered after the user has walked a certain distance, and a number of calories burnt by the user. 
 
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least one of:
 coupling a fluid level monitoring sensor to the smart container for monitoring a level of fluid in the smart container; and 
 coupling a USB port to the smart container for receiving an electronic signal from an external electronic device. 
 
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least one of:
 coupling an insulated storage lid to the smart container for insulating fluid content in the smart container; and 
 coupling a toxicity sensor to the smart container for detecting a presence of a toxin in the smart container. 
 
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least one of:
 coupling a bump sensor to the smart container for transmitting contact information of a user from the smart container to an electronic device; and 
 coupling at least one of a stop watch and a strap to the smart container for timing an event and fastening the smart container to a wrist of the user. 
 
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least one of:
 coupling a temperature transducer to the smart container for determining a temperature of fluid in the smart container; and 
 coupling a speaker to the smart container for emitting an audio signal. 
 
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising coupling an LED to the smart container for emitting a beam of light. 
     
     
         10 . A smart container, said smart container comprising:
 a base portion;   a sidewall integrally formed with and extending upwardly from said base portion, said sidewall surrounding an inner cavity and having an upper edge defining an opening into the inner cavity; and   wherein one of an inner base portion and an inner sidewall of said smart container is configured to be coupled to at least one of an electrically powered heating element and an infrared heater, said at least one of an electrically powered heating element and an infrared heater configured to heat fluid content in said smart container.   
     
     
         11 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to a proximity sensor, said proximity sensor configured to determine if the smart container has been placed on a substantially flat surface. 
     
     
         12 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to at least one of:
 an audible alarm, said audible alarm configured to emit an alarm when a first electronic signal is received by said smart container; and 
 a vibrating unit, said vibrating unit configured to vibrate when the first electronic signal is received by said smart container. 
 
     
     
         13 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to at least one of:
 a microphone, said microphone configured to communicate an audio signal to said smart container; and 
 a stirrer, said stirrer configured to stir fluid content in said smart container. 
 
     
     
         14 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to at least one of:
 a thermometer, said thermometer configured to measure a user's body temperature; and 
 an alcohol sensor, said alcohol sensor configured to measure a concentration of alcohol consumed by a user. 
 
     
     
         15 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to at least one of:
 a fluid level indicator transducer, said fluid level indicator transducer configured to determine a level of fluid in said smart container; and 
 a hollow casing, said hollow casing configured to store at least one cigarette therein. 
 
     
     
         16 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to at least one of:
 a magnetic compass, said magnetic compass configured to provide a directional guide to a user; and 
 a heart rate sensor, said heart rate sensor configured to determine a heart rate of a user. 
 
     
     
         17 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to at least one of:
 at least one of a flash light and a laser pointer, said at least one of a flash light and a laser pointer configured to emit a beam of light; and 
 at least one of an AM/FM radio receiver and a digital music player, said at least one of an AM/FM radio receiver and a digital music player configured to facilitate playing a desired sound track for a user. 
 
     
     
         18 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to at least one of:
 at least one of a digital camera and a motion video recorder, said at least one of a digital camera and a motion video recorder configured to capture high resolution images and audio/video recordings; and 
 a pedometer, said pedometer configured to determine a plurality of parameters including but not limited to a number of steps traversed by a user, a time walked by the user, a distance that has been covered by the user, a distance that remains to be covered after the user has walked a certain distance, and a number of calories burnt by the user. 
 
     
     
         19 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to at least one of:
 a fluid level monitoring sensor, said fluid level monitoring sensor configured to monitor a level of fluid in said smart container; and 
 a USB port, said USB port configured to receive an electronic signal from an external electronic device. 
 
     
     
         20 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to at least one of:
 an insulated storage lid, said insulated storage lid configured to insulate fluid content in said smart container; and 
 a toxicity sensor, said toxicity sensor configured to detect a presence of a toxin in said smart container. 
 
     
     
         21 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to at least one of:
 a bump sensor, said bump sensor configured to facilitate transmission of contact information of a user from said smart container to an electronic device; and 
 at least one of a stop watch and a strap, said at least one of a stop watch and a strap configured to time an event and fasten said smart container to a wrist of a user. 
 
     
     
         22 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to at least one of:
 a temperature transducer, said temperature transducer configured to determine a temperature of fluid in said smart container; and 
 a speaker, said speaker configured to emit an audio signal. 
 
     
     
         23 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to an LED, said LED configured to emit a beam of light. 
     
     
         24 . A smart container in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising a lip formed on an upper edge of said smart container, said lip comprising one of a triangular shaped projection, a lip shaped depression, and a flat surface. 
     
     
         25 . A smart container, said smart container comprising:
 a base portion;   a sidewall integrally formed with and extending upwardly from said base portion, said sidewall surrounding an inner cavity and having an upper edge defining an opening into the inner cavity; and   wherein one of an outer base portion, an outer sidewall, and a handle of said smart container is configured to be coupled to one of an electrical resistance coil and a flame burner.