FI126787B - Procedure for measuring fluid consumption - Google Patents

Description

LIQUID CONSUMPTION MEASUREMENT METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates generally to measurement methods for measuring liquid consumption by users, and more particularly, to methods for measuring and correlating movement of liquid containers with liquid consumption by the users.

BACKGROUND

[002] Water is essential for life. Water makes up about 60 % of weight in young adults. Infants are about 70 % water while the elderly are around 45 %. However, the amount of drinking water required is variable. It depends on physical activity, age, health issues, and environmental conditions. It is estimated that the average American drinks about one liter of water a day. For those working in tropical climates, up to 16 liters a day may be required.

[003] If the water consumption is not appropriate, then the body fluid is not replaced which causes dehydration. Dehydration can lead to headaches, decreased blood pressure, dizziness, and in extreme cases, it can even cause death. In the US, the reference daily intake (RDI) for water is 3.7 litres per day for human males older than 18 including water contained in food, beverages, and drinking water. Therefore, many people measure their daily intake of water to ensure appropriate water intake.

[004] Further, in some specific environments like hospitals, it is very important to measure amount of liquids a patient is consuming to avoid dehydration.

[005] Many users use measuring cups, glasses or bottles that have a measuring scale printed on the exterior surface. Users can read the measuring scale and keep a manual record of the liquid consumption. In hospitals, nurses keep a record on a piece of paper. For example, 1 liter of water may be initially put in a glass for a patient. Therefore, the nurse writes 1 litre on a piece of paper. Later, the nurse may come back after a predetermined time to check the glass to determine how much water the patient drunk. For example, the water level may have dropped to 0.5 litres. Therefore, the nurse determines that the patient drank 0.5 litres of water in the predetermined time. However, this approach has limitations, which may give wrong readings. For example, the patient may spill some water or tip over the glass. Furthermore, it may be necessary to also monitor that the patient is not drinking too fast, i.e. that the amount drank in the predetermined time is not too high.

[006] Further, some smart bottles have been developed. These bottles use sensors to track the water consumption. They may be able to detect water spills. However, the measurement means are integrated in the bottle itself. This makes them unusable from a hygienic point of view, especially for hospital usage.

[007] Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY

[008] The present disclosure seeks to provide an apparatus for measuring an amount of liquid drank from a cup. Additionally, the present disclosure seeks to provide an apparatus with a cup that can be quickly disassembled for easy cleaning to meet hygiene requirements. A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for automatically determining liquid spills. Moreover, the present disclosure seeks to provide a method for measuring an amount of liquid drank from a cup.

[009] Accordingly, in one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for measuring an amount of liquid drank from a cup, according to the independent claim. An apparatus usable in connection with the cup comprises a sensor housing and a cup holder attachable to the sensor housing and adapted to removably receive the cup. The sensor housing comprises an ultrasonic sensor for measuring a liquid level in the cup and means for guiding ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic sensor to the cup. Further, the sensor housing comprises a sensor for measuring movement and orientation of the cup. Moreover, the sensor housing comprises a microprocessor configured to analyse the measured liquid level, the measured movement and the measured orientation and to determine the amount of liquid drank.

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure substantially eliminate or at least partially address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, and enable users to measure an amount of liquid drank from a cup. The apparatus may be used in hospitals to track liquid consumption of the patients. Further, apparatus may be used by people in normal life to track their liquid consumption. The apparatus may be easily disassembled for manual or machine cleaning as per the hygiene requirements. The sensor housing may be hermetically sealed such that it may be cleaned in a dishwasher along with the cup and the cup holder. The apparatus is configured to provide accurate liquid consumption data by detecting various events. Further, the apparatus may be configured to remotely store the data for further analysis and future reference.

[0011] Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.

[0012] It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein: FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a schematic of an apparatus for measuring an amount of liquid drank from a cup. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus for measuring an amount of liquid drank from a cup. FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 2. FIG. 4 is yet another perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for a method for measuring an amount of liquid drank from the cup of Fig. 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an apparatus for measuring an amount of liquid drank from a cup.

Fig. 7 illustrates a graph depicting a sequence of acceleration corresponding to the liquid being drunk from the cup of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 illustrates a graph depicting a sequence of acceleration corresponding to the liquid being thrown away from the cup of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 illustrates a graph depicting a sequence of acceleration corresponding to dropping a cup of Fig. 1 and throwing away the liquid.

[0015] In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.

[0017] In one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure is an apparatus for measuring an amount of liquid drank from a cup. The apparatus comprises a sensor housing, and a cup holder attachable to the sensor housing and adapted to removably receive the cup. The sensor housing comprises an ultrasonic sensor for measuring a liquid level in the cup and a means for guiding ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic sensor to the cup. Further, the sensor housing comprises a sensor for measuring movement and orientation of the cup. Moreover, the sensor housing comprises a microprocessor configured to analyse the measured liquid level, the measured movement and the measured orientation and to determine the amount of liquid drank. The cup may include any type of liquid for consumption. A user may move the cup while trying to consume some liquid from the cup. The apparatus is configured to detect any movement of the cup.

[0018] For example, the cup holder may twist lock or snap fit with the sensor housing. Alternatively, the cup holder may be permanently attached to the sensor housing to form a single unit. Further, the cup may be inserted in the cup holder. The cup may be removably secured with the cup holder. For example, the cup may twist lock or snap fit with the cup holder. The cup may be placed in the cup holder during usage. When not in use, the cup may be removed from the cup holder for cleaning. The sensor housing may be hermetically sealed such that it may be cleaned in a dishwasher along with the cup and the cup holder.

[0019] The ultrasonic sensor may generate ultrasonic sound waves, transmit the generated waves towards the cup and receive the reflected ultrasonic sound waves to measure the liquid level in the cup.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the means for guiding ultrasonic waves may be arranged to form an acoustic path between the ultrasonic sensor and the bottom of the cup when the cup is arranged in the cup holder. In yet another embodiment (or the same embodiment, as the case may be), the ultrasonic sensor is positioned in the sensor housing in such a way that it is facing a bottom of the cup when the cup is arranged in the cup holder.

[0021] In an embodiment, the means for guiding ultrasonic waves may be made of an elastomeric couplant material. For example, the elastomeric couplant material may be a silicone material. The elastomeric couplant may be placed on a region on the top face of the sensor housing. Further, the elastomeric couplant may also be placed on a region on the bottom face of the cup. The elastomeric couplant on the top face of the sensor housing may contact the elastomeric couplant placed on the bottom face of the cup, when the cup is placed in the cup holder, which is engaged with the sensor housing. In another example, the means may be made of an elastomer couplant that protrudes out of the top of the sensor housing, such that, when in use, the means is in contact with the bottom of the cup.

[0022] Additionally, the sensor housing may include a colour sensor to detect colour of the liquid in the cup. The sensor housing may also include a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of the liquid in the cup. For example, the colour sensor may be an RGB sensor. The colour sensor may include multiple light emitting sources of different colours transmitting light towards the liquid in the cup, a light receiving element for receiving the reflected light from the liquid and a circuit arrangement for producing output signals representing the colour of the liquid. The top face of the sensor housing may include one or more windows for the temperature sensor and the colour sensor. The colour sensor may be used to identify the liquid in the cup. For example, if the colour is transparent, the liquid is most likely water. If the colour is white, the liquid is most likely milk. Further, the temperature information (from the temperature sensor) may be combined with the colour information (from the colour sensor) to identify the liquid in the cup. For example, Coca Cola® and coffee are both black, so only the colour information is not sufficient to identify the liquid. So the temperature information may be used to identify the correct liquid. A black cold liquid is most likely Coca Cola® and a black hot liquid is most likely coffee.

[0023] In an embodiment, the sensor for measuring movement and orientation of the cup may be an accelerometer. The sensor for measuring movement may also be a gyroscope or a magnetometer, or a combination of any of these. The accelerometer is typically used to measure acceleration of the cup along x-, y- and z-axis. A sequence of acceleration experienced by the cup may be used to ascertain an event from a group of the liquid was drunk and the liquid was thrown away. The accurate detection of these events is essential for accurate measurement of liquid drank.

[0024] In a further embodiment, a normal-drinking event may be determined by the simultaneous increase of the acceleration sensed by the apparatus on its x- and y- axes and a decrement of it in the z-axis. The detection of the event may include a three-stage sequence: an initial stable position of the apparatus, a rotation over the x-y plane and a final stable position. A stable position may be detected when the apparatus senses an acceleration of 1 G (=9.8 m/s2) in its z-axis and 0 G (Zero-Gravity) in the rest of the axes. A rotation over the x-y plane may be detected by subtracting the z-component of the acceleration from its x-y component. After the three-stage sequence is detected, the apparatus measures the liquid level and compares it to the previous measurement to determine the amount of liquid drunk by the user. However, if the amount of liquid drunk was physically too much for a human to consume in the amount of time passed, the apparatus determines that the liquid was not consumed but was poured or thrown away. Then, the apparatus may use two separate methods for determining if the full cup was not drunk but discarded. The first method is based on rapid movement of the cup after an otherwise normal drinking event. The rapid movement indicates pouring the water, for example, if the cup accidently tilts on the table. The result of the operation is less than zero except for those situations when the apparatus is tilted for the user to drink from it. The second method detects if the cup is dropped. In such a case, acceleration along all the axes goes to zero for a short time indicating the device was in free-fall. In this case, the apparatus measures the liquid remaining after the free-fall event or falling over event and records the change as a liquid not drunk by the user but lost or spilled.

[0025] In an embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor may be activated only when the sensor detects a movement. This may save energy as the sensor consumes less energy than the ultrasonic sensor, in general. Further, the ultrasonic sensor may be activated only when the sensor detects a tilt of less than or equal to about 5 degrees, since ultrasonic waves may not reflect back for higher tilt angles.

[0026] In an embodiment, the microprocessor may be configured to communicate one or more of the data received from the sensors and the results obtained after analysis of the data, to an online server via a network. For example, the microprocessor may communicate the raw data received from the sensors. Further, the microprocessor may communicate data including the type of liquid, time of each event, type of event, and user's or patient's name. Thereafter, a computing device may be used to monitor the data on the server to track consumption patterns. The microprocessor thus receives data from the one or more sensors in the sensor housing, for example from the ultrasonic sensor, the sensor for sensing movement, the temperature sensor and/or the colour sensor. The microprocessor may be configured to communicate one or more of the data received from the one or more sensors and the results obtained after analysis of the data, to an online server via a network. The data received from the one or more sensors may be analyzed at the server; for example, to determine how much liquid has been consumed by the user. A computing device may be used to monitor the data on the server to track consumption patterns. The computing device may be one or more of a workstation, a personal computer, a laptop, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a wearable computing device or another suitable computing device.

[0027] For instance, the apparatus may be used in hospitals by doctors and nurses to track liquid consumption by patients. The apparatus with a liquid in the cup may be placed on a table near a patient. The patient may drink from the cup multiple times. Each time the apparatus moves, the apparatus is configured to determine if the liquid was indeed drunk by the patient or was it spilled by accident. Further, the apparatus may communicate the measured amount of liquid to an external system (for example, an online server) where the consumption patterns may be monitored.

[0028] According to an additional embodiment, the sensor housing may include a receiver coil for wirelessly charged the sensor housing, when the sensor housing is placed on top of a charger with a transmitter coil. For example, the wireless charging may be performed using magnetic induction based on one or more standards including, but not limited to, Magne Charge, Qi and Rezence. The receiver coil and the transmitter coil may be of same size. The distance between the receiver coil and the transmitter coil may be reduced as much as possible to ensure a tight coupling and consequently higher power transfer. Further, one or both of the receiver coil and the transmitter coil may include multiple coils. When not in use, the sensor housing may be always placed on the charger.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for measuring an amount of liquid drank by a user from a cup. The apparatus is, in practice, a cup holder that is capable of measuring difference on liquid level between movements. The amount of liquid drank refers to liquid in taken by the user. The apparatus automatically determines if any liquid was spilled. Specifically, the apparatus measures the liquid level using ultrasonic sensor and monitors orientation of the cup with accelerometers to analyze if the cup was used in a normal manner for drinking or if it was tipped over or dropped by accident.

[0030] Further, in an embodiment, a method for determining an amount of liquid drank from a cup is disclosed. The method comprises measuring a first liquid level in the cup, detecting a movement pattern of the cup, detecting an orientation pattern of the cup, and measuring a second liquid level in the cup. Further, the method comprises using a difference between the first liquid level and the second liquid level for calculating a difference on the amount of liquid in the cup before detected movement and after detected movement. The method also comprises analysing the movement pattern and the orientation pattern for determining an action the liquid has been subjected to, wherein the action is selected from group of the liquid was drunk, the liquid was partially drunk and the liquid was thrown away. Finally, the method comprises determining an amount of liquid drunk by using the calculated difference on the amount of liquid and the determined action.

[0031] As is evident to a person skilled in the art, the detection of the movement pattern and the orientation pattern of the cup can be performed in either order or simultaneously, while it is typically being detected simultaneously. The analysis of the movement pattern and the orientation pattern may further include determining a sequence of acceleration of the cup. The sequence of acceleration may be used to ascertain if the liquid was drunk, if the liquid was partially drunk or if the liquid was thrown away. Moreover, for example, the calculated difference may be a value 'X' and the determined action may be that the liquid was drunk. Therefore, the method may determine that the amount of liquid drunk equals 'X'. However, if the determined action is that the liquid was partially drunk, then the method may determine that the amount of liquid drunk may be less than 'X'. Further, if the determined action is that the liquid was thrown away, the method may determine that the amount of liquid drunk is less than 'X' (or even zero).

[0032]According to an embodiment, detection of the movement pattern of the cup and of the orientation pattern of the cup comprises detecting acceleration of the cup along x-, y- and z-axis, wherein the z-axis is the vertical axis of the cup, the x-axis is parallel to the bottom of the cup and perpendicular to the z-axis and the y-axis is parallel to the bottom of the cup and perpendicular to the x-axis and the z-axis. In this determination, the following rules are followed: - a sequence of acceleration consisting of - an initial stable position wherein acceleration along the z-axis is 1 G and acceleration along the x- and y-axis is 0 G, - a rotation over a plane defined by the x- and y-axis wherein subtraction of the acceleration along the z-axis from the acceleration along the x- and y-axis results in a value above 0, and - a final stable position wherein acceleration along the z-axis is 1 G and acceleration along the x- and y-axis is 0 G, is indicative of the liquid having been drunk, wherein furthermore, if the difference on the amount of liquid in the cup before detected movement and after detected movement is over a pre-defined threshold, this is indicative of the liquid having been partly drunk; - a sequence of acceleration comprising the value of subtraction of the acceleration along the z-axis from the acceleration along the x- and y-axis varies along a two peak structure is indicative of the liquid having been thrown away; and - a sequence of acceleration wherein acceleration along the x-, y- and z-axes is simultaneously 0 G is indicative of the cup having been dropped and the liquid having been thrown away.

[0033] The pre-defined threshold may be related to human physical limitation for consuming liquids in a given time. Indeed the present method may also include keeping track of time, as there may be several minutes and typically also several hours between two consecutive actions on the cup.

[0034] In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure is an apparatus for measuring an amount of liquid drank from a cup, which may be placed in a cup holder. The cup holder may be attached to a sensor housing. The sensor housing may include multiple sensors such as, but not limited to, an ultrasonic sensor, a sensor for measuring movement and orientation of the cup, a colour sensor, and a temperature sensor. A microprocessor in the sensor housing may be used to process the data received from the multiple sensors. The ultrasonic sensor may be used for measuring a liquid level in the cup. The sensor for measuring movement and orientation of the cup may be used to measure acceleration of the cup along x-, y- and z-axis. A sequence of acceleration experienced by the cup may be used to ascertain which event of the following has taken place: the liquid was drunk or the liquid was thrown away. The colour sensor and the temperature sensor may be used to identify the liquid in the cup. The microprocessor is further configured to analyse the measured liquid level, the measured movement and the measured orientation and to determine the amount of liquid drank. Further, the microprocessor may be configured to communicate one or more of the data received from the multiple sensors and the results obtained after analysis of the data, to an online server via a network. Thereafter, a computing device may be used to monitor the data on the server to track consumption patterns.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is an exploded, schematic illustration of an apparatus 100 for measuring an amount of liquid drank from a cup 102 according to an embodiment. The apparatus 100 includes a sensor housing 104 as well as a cup holder 106 attachable to the sensor housing 104, adapted to removably receive the cup. The sensor housing 104 includes an ultrasonic sensor 108 for measuring a liquid level in the cup 102. The sensor housing 104 also includes means 110 for guiding ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic sensor 108 towards the cup 102. The sensor housing 104 also includes a temperature sensor 114 for measuring temperature of the liquid in the cup 102. In addition, the sensor housing 104 includes a colour sensor 116 for detecting the colour of the liquid in the cup 102.

[0036] Yet further, the sensor housing 104 includes a microprocessor 118 configured to analyse a measured liquid level, a measured movement and a measured orientation and to determine the amount of liquid drank. The microprocessor 118 is configured to communicate one or more of the data to an online server 120 via a network 122, and a computing device 124 is used to monitor the data on the server 120 to track consumption patterns. Moreover, in this embodiment, the sensor housing 104 includes a receiver coil 126 for wirelessly charging the sensor housing 104, when the sensor housing 104 is placed on top of a charger 128 with a transmitter coil 130.

[0037] Further, the sensor housing 104 includes a sensor 112 for measuring movement and orientation of the cup 102. The data from the sensor 112 is analysed to detect if the movement of the cup 102 corresponded to a normal drinking movement or if the movement corresponded to tipping over of the cup 102 by accident. This information may be used to determine how much liquid was consumed. This is explained in further detail below in conjunction with Figures 5-9 below.

[0038] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus 200 according to another embodiment, for measuring an amount of liquid drank from a cup 202. The apparatus 200 further includes a cup holder 204 and a sensor housing 206. The cup holder 204 may be securely engaged with the sensor housing 206, as shown in Figure 3. Further, the cup 202 may be placed in the cup holder 204 as shown in Figure 4. When in use, the cup 202 is placed in the cup holder 204, and the cup holder 204 is securely engaged with the sensor housing 206 as shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 6, the z-axis may be the vertical axis of the cup, the x-axis may be parallel to the bottom of the cup and perpendicular to the z-axis and the y-axis may be parallel to the bottom of the cup and perpendicular to the x-axis and the z-axis [0039] The sensor housing 206 includes an elastomer couplant 208 (covering an ultrasonic sensor in the sensor housing 206). Moreover, the top face of the sensor housing 206 includes a window 210 for a colour sensor (in the sensor housing 206) and a window 212 for a temperature sensor (in the sensor housing 206). A user may use handles 214 when consuming the liquid from the cup 202.

[0040] Figure 5 is a flowchart for a method 500 for measuring an amount of liquid drank from the cup according to an embodiment. At 502, the method includes measuring a first liquid level in the cup. At 504, the method includes detecting a movement pattern of the cup. The time lapse between steps 502 and 504 can be for example minutes or hours. Next, at 506, the method includes detecting an orientation pattern of the cup. The steps 504 and 506 can be carried out in any order or simultaneously.

[0041] Then, at 508, the method includes measuring a second liquid level in the cup. Thereafter, at 510, the method includes using a difference between the first liquid level and the second liquid level for calculating a difference on the amount of liquid in the cup before the detected movement and after the detected movement. Next, at 512, the method includes analysing the movement pattern and the orientation pattern for determining an action the liquid has been subjected to. Finally, at 514, the method includes determining an amount of liquid drunk by using the calculated difference on the amount of liquid (obtained at 510) and the determined action (obtained at 512).

[0042] Figure 7 illustrates a graph 700 depicting the sequence of acceleration corresponding to the liquid being drunk. Figure 8 illustrates a graph 800 depicting the sequence of acceleration corresponding to the liquid being thrown away. Figure 9 illustrates a graph 900 depicting the sequence of acceleration corresponding to dropping the cup and throwing away the liquid. The graphs 700-900 depict accelerometer data. Further, the graphs 700-900 depict the value obtained after subtracting the acceleration along the z-axis from the acceleration along the x- and y-axis.

[0043] The ref ore, a sequence of acceleration indicative of the liquid having been drunk, may include: 1. An initial stable position, wherein acceleration along the z-axis is 1 G (= 9.8 m/s2) and acceleration along the x- and y-axis is 0 G (Zero-Gravity) (similar to a graph region 702 in the graph 700); 2. Then, a rotation over a plane defined by the x- and y-axis, wherein subtraction of the acceleration along the z-axis from the acceleration along the x- and y-axis results in a value above 0 (similar to a peak 704 in the graph 700); and 3. Then, a final stable position wherein acceleration along the z-axis is 1 G and acceleration along the x- and y-axis is 0 G (similar to a region 706 in the graph 700).

[0044] Similarly, the sequence of acceleration indicative of the liquid having been thrown away may include the value of subtraction of the acceleration along the z-axis from the acceleration along the x- and y-axis varying along a two peak structure (similar to the two peaks 802-804 shown in the graph 800). The first peak 802 may correspond to normal drinking movement. The second peak 804 may correspond to spilling the liquid.

[0045] The sequence of acceleration indicative of the cup having been dropped and the liquid having been thrown away may include acceleration along the x-, y- and z-axes being simultaneously 0-G (similar to a region 902 in the graph 900). For example, the graph 900 shows a plot corresponding to a typical dropping event from a 70 cm height. A region 904 in the graph 900 may correspond to the cup crashing on the ground.

[0046] Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "incorporating", "have", "is" used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.

Claims (8)

A method for determining the amount of fluid drawn from a cup (102), comprising the steps of: - measuring a first fluid level of a fluid in a cup, - detecting a cup pattern, - detecting a cup orientation fluid, - measuring a second fluid level in a cup, varying the liquid level to calculate the difference in the amount of liquid in the cup before and after the detected motion, - analyzing the motion pattern and orientation pattern to determine the action on the fluid, the operation being selected from the group consisting of liquid, amount using the calculated difference in the amount of liquid and the determined operation, characterized in that detection of the movement pattern of the cup and detection of the orientation pattern of the cup comprises detection of the acceleration of the cup according to the x, y and z axes, wherein the z-axis is the vertical axis of the cup, the x-axis is parallel to the bottom of the cup and perpendicular to the z-axis, and the y-axis is parallel to the bottom of the cup and perpendicular to the x-axis and z-axis, and wherein - an initial stable position with 1G acceleration along the z axis and 0 G acceleration along the x and y axes, with rotation in the plane defined by the x and y axes, whereby reducing the acceleration along the x axis and y axis directional acceleration produces a value greater than 0, and - the final stable position, where the acceleration in the z-axis is 1G and the acceleration in the x-axis and y-axis is 0G, indicates that the liquid is soldered, is in the amount of liquid before and after the detected movement is above a predetermined threshold, indicating that the liquid has been partially soldered, - an acceleration sequence comprising s value obtained by the direction of the z-axis acceleration of reduction of the x- and y-axes of the acceleration, in accordance with the variation in the structure of the two peaks, indicating that the liquid is poured off; and an acceleration sequence in which the acceleration along the x, y and z axes is simultaneously 0 G indicating that the cup has been dropped and the liquid has been poured out. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cup (102) is arranged in communication with the device (110) for determining the amount of liquid drawn from the cup (102), the device comprising: - a sensor housing (104) and - a cup holder (106) (104) and removably adapted to receive a cup (102), wherein the sensor housing (104) comprises: - an ultrasonic sensor (108) for measuring the liquid level in the cup (102), - a sensor (112) for measuring movement and orientation of the cup (102), 110) for directing the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic sensor (108) to the cup (102), and - a microprocessor (118) adapted to analyze the measured fluid surface, the measured movement and the measured orientation, and determine the amount of fluid flushed. The method of claim 2, wherein the ultrasonic sensor (108) is disposed within the sensor housing (104) so that it is toward the bottom of the cup (102) when the cup (102) is disposed in the cup holder (106). The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the means (110) for guiding the ultrasonic waves are made of an elastomeric coupling agent. The method of claim 4, wherein the elastomeric coupling agent is silicone. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the sensor (112) for measuring the movement and orientation of the cup (102) is an accelerometer. The method of any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a temperature sensor (114) for measuring the temperature of the liquid. The method of any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising a sensor (116) for measuring the color of the liquid.