Intelligent divider placement detection and algorithmic control of climate modes

Abstract

A container includes a main interior compartment, and at least one divider disposed within the main interior compartment. The at least one divider defines two divided compartments within the main interior compartment. A sensor is configured to detect the at least one divider. A thermal control system is configured to maintain a temperature controlled zone within at least one of the divided compartments. A processor is programmed to determine a position of the at least one divider, based on output from the sensor, and in response to the at least one divider being removed or moved, or in response to an additional divider being added to the main compartment and being detected by the sensor, control the thermal control system to reconfigure the temperature controlled zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a main interior compartment;   at least one divider disposed within the main interior compartment, the at least one divider defining at least two divided compartments within the main interior compartment;   a sensor configured to detect the at least one divider;   a thermal control system configured to maintain a temperature controlled zone within at least one of the divided compartments; and   a processor, the processor being programmed to:
 determine a position of the at least one divider, based on output from the sensor, and 
 in response to the at least one divider being removed or moved, control the thermal control system to reconfigure the temperature controlled zone. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , further comprising an access door configured to enclose the main interior compartment, and
 wherein the sensor is a time-of-flight sensor, and the sensor is disposed on the access door.   
     
     
         3 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the processor is programmed to control the container according to a predetermined mode, and   after the processor determines the position of the at least one divider, the processor determines that the position of the at least one divider is not compatible with the predetermined mode, and transmits information to an electronic device indicating that the at least one divider needs to be moved.   
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 3 , wherein the electronic device is a server. 
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 3 , wherein the electronic device is a smartphone or a tablet. 
     
     
         6 . A container system comprising:
 a main interior compartment;   a divider configured to be disposed within the main interior compartment, the divider defining two divided compartments within the main interior compartment when placed in the main interior compartment;   a sensor configured to detect the divider when the divider is placed in the main interior compartment;   a thermal control system configured to maintain a temperature controlled zone within the main compartment; and   a processor, the processor being programmed to:
 determine that divider has been placed inside the main compartment, based on output from the sensor, and 
 control the thermal control system to reconfigure the temperature controlled zone when the divider is placed in the main interior compartment. 
   
     
     
         7 . The container system according to  claim 6 , further comprising an access door configured to enclose the main interior compartment, and
 wherein the sensor is a time-of-flight sensor, and the sensor is disposed on the access door.   
     
     
         8 . The container system according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the processor is programmed to control the container according to a predetermined mode, and   after the processor determines the position of the divider, the processor determines that the position of the divider is not compatible with the predetermined mode, and transmits information to an electronic device indicating that the divider needs to be moved.   
     
     
         9 . The container according to  claim 8 , wherein the electronic device is a server. 
     
     
         10 . The container according to  claim 8 , wherein the electronic device is a smartphone or a tablet. 
     
     
         11 . A container comprising:
 a main interior compartment;   at least one divider disposed within the main interior compartment, the at least one divider defining at least two divided compartments within the main interior compartment;   a sensor configured to detect the at least one divider;   a thermal control system configured to maintain a temperature controlled zone within at least one of the divided compartments; and   a processor, the processor being programmed to:
 determine a position of the at least one divider, based on output from the sensor, and 
 store information on the position of the at least one divider, and transmit the stored information to a server or a user terminal device.