US 12359958

US Patent 12359958, titled "Bin level monitoring system," was filed on July 31, 2019, and issued on July 15, 2025. The patent is currently assigned to Binsentry Inc. The inventor is Randall Schwartzentruber.

Abstract:
The patent describes a bin level monitoring system comprising an optical sensor for sensing a feed level inside a feed bin. This sensor is communicatively connected to a circuit board that receives the level signal and processes it to generate bin level data. The system also includes a battery for powering the circuit board and sensor, an enclosure for the circuit board, and a radio transmitter for transmitting the bin level data. The optical sensor can be a LIDAR sensor or a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: Bin Level Monitoring System (Apparatus)
  This claim describes a system to monitor the level of material in a bin. It includes a special volumetric sensor placed inside the bin, which is connected to a circuit board. This circuit board processes the sensor's data to figure out the bin's level. The circuit board is housed in an enclosure that is attached to the outside, sloped part of the bin's roof using magnets. The system also has a radio transmitter to send the level data. The sensor itself is held by a unique mounting bracket inside the bin. This bracket has a U-shaped hanger that hooks over a collar around the bin's lid opening, fastening securely. From this hanger, the bracket extends downwards, then angles, and finally has a horizontal part where the sensor is mounted to face downwards into the bin.

• Independent Claim 11: Method of Monitoring a Bin Level
  This claim outlines the steps for monitoring a bin's level. First, a volumetric sensor is mounted inside the bin using a specific sensor-mounting bracket. This involves fitting the bracket's hanger over an upright collar around the bin's lid opening and fastening it there. The bracket supports the sensor via vertical, angled, and horizontal sections, aiming it downwards. Separately, an enclosure containing a circuit board is mounted to the outside, sloped portion of the bin's roof using magnets. Then, the system proceeds to sense the bin level with the sensor, receive the resulting signal, process it to generate bin level data, and finally transmit that data.

• Independent Claim 15: Bin Level Monitoring System (Simplified Apparatus)
  Similar to Claim 1, this claim describes a bin level monitoring system with a volumetric sensor inside a bin with a sloped roof. A circuit board processes the sensor's signal to create bin level data. The circuit board is enclosed in an enclosure that mounts to the outside, sloped part of the bin's roof using an enclosure mounting plate. A radio transmitter sends the data. The sensor is mounted inside the bin by a sensor-mounting bracket. This bracket has an upper hanger portion that fits over an upright structural element (a collar surrounding the feed bin lid opening) and fastens to it, and a vertical portion extending downward to support the sensor.

USPTO and CAFC Docket Search:
As of July 3, 2026, the USPTO records for US12359958B2 indicate the patent is active and has an adjusted expiration date of July 26, 2042. The current assignee is Binsentry Inc. The legal events show a history of security interests granted to National Bank of Canada, BDC Capital Inc., and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, which were subsequently released (specifically, National Bank of Canada's security interest was released).

A search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 12359958 did not return any specific cases or filings related to this patent. While general CAFC activities and summaries of other patent cases from early to mid-2026 are available, there is no authoritative public information indicating that patent 12359958 is currently involved in litigation at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.