Communication system incorporated in a container

Abstract

The system of the present invention includes a container and an electronic component with a partial power source in the form of dissimilar materials. The container includes a liquid. Upon contact with the liquid, a voltage potential is created and the power source is completed, which activates the system. The electronic component controls the conductance between the dissimilar materials to produce a unique current signature.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A system for communication comprising:
 a container comprising a liquid, the container defining an opening, wherein the container comprises a cap to secure the opening of the container; and   an event indicator configured to transmit a first signal, wherein the event indicator comprises a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the first signal after the cap is removed from the container, wherein the first signal comprises information associated with activation of the event indicator; and   an ingestible indicator configured to transmit a second signal, wherein the ingestible indicator is located within the container; and   wherein the ingestible indicator comprises a coating to prevent interaction of the ingestible indicator with the liquid when the ingestible indicator is located within the container.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the event indicator is located adjacent the opening of the container. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the event indicator comprises zinc, and wherein a voltage potential is produced when the event indicator contacts air such that the voltage potential activates the event indicator after the lid is removed, and wherein the event indicator transmits a signal upon activation. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the ingestible indicator comprises:
 a support structure including a control module; and   a partial power source comprising:
 a first material physically associated with the support structure; and 
 a second material physically associated with the support structure at a location different from the location of the first material, such that the first material and second material are electrically isolated from each other and are configured to produce a voltage potential, wherein the control module is configured to control conductance between the first material and the second material when the partial power source is completed by introducing an electrically conductive liquid between the first material and the second material to complete the partial power source. 
   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the ingestible indicator produces a current signature that includes information encoded therein using the control module. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein at least one of the event indicator and the ingestible indicator is configured to communicate with a receiver associated with a consumer's body. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the ingestible indicator transmits the second signal via transconduction to a receiver secured to a consumer's body. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the event indicator transmits the first signal via transconduction to a receiver secured to a consumer's body. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the coating of the ingestible indicator dissolves when in contact with a physiological fluid. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the event indicator is activated after the coating is dissolved. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the event indicator is activated when the event indicator comes into contact with the liquid. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the first signal comprises information associated with a removal of the cap. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the container comprises at least one pair of sensors located on a surface of the container, and wherein the at least one pair of sensors is configured to detect a volume of liquid in the container. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the at least one pair of sensors comprises a pair of capacitive sensors. 
     
     
         37 . A system for communication comprising:
 a container comprising a liquid, the container defining an opening, wherein the container comprises a cap to secure the opening of the container; and   an event indicator configured to transmit a first signal, wherein the first signal comprises information associated with activation of the event indicator; and   an ingestible indicator configured to transmit a second signal, wherein the ingestible indicator is located within the container; and   wherein the ingestible indicator comprises a coating to prevent interaction of the ingestible indicator with the liquid when the ingestible indicator is located within the container; and   a content sensor secured on a surface of the container, the content sensor configured to transmit a third signal comprising information associated with a volume of the liquid in the container.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the first signal from the event indicator and the third signal from the content sensor are transmitted to a receiver associated with a consumer of the liquid of the container. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the content sensor comprises a capacitive sensor secured to the surface of the container, wherein the capacitive sensor includes a pair of capacitive plates positioned on the container to allow for detection of the capacitance of the liquid of the container and wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to transmit the third signal indicating at least one change in the capacitance of the liquid of the container. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the capacitive sensor comprises at least one pair of capacitive plates. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the capacitive sensor comprises conductive ink that forms a capacitive plate pair. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the content sensor is secured to an outside surface of the container.