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.

As of April 26, 2026, a search for litigation involving US patent 12359958 across common patent litigation databases, including the Unified Patents Portal, and through general inquiries about CAFC and PACER dockets, has not revealed any known litigation cases. The provided search results detail how to use these platforms for case searching but do not list any specific cases for patent US12359958.

Therefore, no litigation involving US patent 12359958 is currently known.

Proceedings overview

As of July 3, 2026, there are no AIA trial proceedings on file for US Patent 12359958. This means that all claims of the patent remain untested at the PTAB, and no claims have been invalidated or sustained through an AIA trial.

Strategic summary

Given that there are no PTAB proceedings on file for US Patent 12359958, all 18 claims (Claims 1-10, 15-18 for apparatus and Claims 11-14 for method) remain legally valid and untested by this specific administrative body. This means a defendant facing assertion of this patent would find that no claims have been canceled or narrowed through IPR, PGR, or CBM trials.

The estoppel landscape is currently moot, as no PTAB trials have occurred. Therefore, the statutory estoppel provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) (for IPRs) or § 325(e)(2) (for PGRs) do not apply to any potential petitioner. All prior art grounds are theoretically still available for a new PTAB challenge, should a defendant choose to pursue one. The absence of PTAB activity also suggests that the patent has not yet faced significant challenges in this forum, either because it has not been widely asserted, or because potential challengers have opted for other strategies or found no compelling grounds for an AIA trial.

Recommended next steps

Since no PTAB activity exists for US Patent 12359958, a defendant facing assertion of this patent should be aware that all claims are presumed valid and have not been subjected to PTAB scrutiny. The absence of PTAB proceedings suggests that the patent may not have been heavily litigated or challenged in this specific forum.

If considering an AIA trial, potential petitioners would need to:

• Conduct a thorough prior art search to identify grounds for challenging the patentability of claims under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 or 103 (for IPR) or additional grounds under § 112 (for PGR).
• File a petition for an IPR or PGR, meeting all statutory and regulatory requirements, including the threshold for institution.

The absence of PTAB activity indicates that this particular avenue of challenge remains open, without the constraints of prior estoppel.

Inventors

The sole inventor named on US Patent 12359958 is Randall Schwartzentruber. At the time of filing, it is determinable that Randall Schwartzentruber was associated with Binsentry Inc., as the patent was initially filed by and assigned to Binsentry Inc.

Original assignee

The original assignee of US Patent 12359958 is Binsentry Inc.
Binsentry Inc. is a privately-held tech firm based in Kitchener, Canada, founded in 2017. They develop and ship products embodying the claims, specifically AI-powered sensors and real-time monitoring solutions for optimizing feed supply chains in animal agriculture. Their products, such as ProSense Feed and ProSense HD, provide 3D visibility into feed inventories in agricultural and commercial silos. Binsentry Inc. is currently operating and has recently secured significant funding rounds, including a $50 million Series C round led by Lead Edge Capital and $25 million in growth capital from CIBC Innovation Banking in late 2025. They are actively expanding globally and have partnerships with major agricultural companies like Cargill.

Assignment timeline

The following is a chronological list of recorded assignments for US Patent 12359958, based on information from Google Patents and cross-referenced with USPTO Assignment Search.

• 2018-11-23 (executed) / recorded 2021-05-24 — Reel 056329/0164

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignor's Interest
  • Assignor: Schwartzentruber, Randall
  • Assignee: Binsentry Inc.
  • Correspondent: Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, 100 King Street West, Suite 1600, 1 First Canadian Place, Toronto, ON, M5X 1G5, Canada.
  • Context: Initial assignment from inventor to the operating company.

• 2023-11-22 (executed) / recorded 2023-11-29 — Reel 065705/0095

  • Conveyance: Security Interest
  • Assignor: Binsentry Inc.
  • Assignee: National Bank of Canada, 600 de la Gauchetière Street West, Montreal, QC, H3B 4L2, Canada.
  • Correspondent: Dentons Canada LLP, 99 Bank Street, Suite 1400, Ottawa, ON, K1P 1H4, Canada.
  • Context: Securitization for financing purposes.

• 2024-06-25 (executed) / recorded 2024-08-02 — Reel 068162/0429

  • Conveyance: Security Interest
  • Assignor: Binsentry Inc.
  • Assignee: BDC Capital Inc., 5 Place Ville Marie, Suite 100, Montreal, QC, H3B 5E7, Canada.
  • Correspondent: Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, World Exchange Plaza, 100 Queen Street, Suite 1100, Ottawa, ON, K1P 1J9, Canada.
  • Context: Securitization for financing purposes.

• 2025-11-14 (executed) / recorded 2025-12-03 — Reel 073106/0630

  • Conveyance: Security Interest
  • Assignor: Binsentry Inc.
  • Assignee: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, 81 Bay Street, 19th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5J 0E7, Canada.
  • Correspondent: Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, 100 King Street West, Suite 1600, 1 First Canadian Place, Toronto, ON, M5X 1G5, Canada. (This correspondent recurs in this chain.)
  • Context: Securitization for financing purposes.

• 2025-11-14 (executed) / recorded 2025-12-09 — Reel 073164/0116

  • Conveyance: Release of Security Interest
  • Assignor: National Bank of Canada, 600 de la Gauchetière Street West, Montreal, QC, H3B 4L2, Canada.
  • Assignee: Binsentry Inc.
  • Correspondent: Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, 100 King Street West, Suite 1600, 1 First Canadian Place, Toronto, ON, M5X 1G5, Canada. (This correspondent recurs in this chain.)
  • Context: Release of a previously granted security interest.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 12359958
    2018 : Filed by R Schwartzentruber
    2021 : Assigned to Binsentry Inc
    2023 : Security interest to National Bank
    2024 : Security interest to BDC Capital
    2025 : Issued
         : Security interest to CIBC
         : National Bank releases security

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Not present. The patent remains with Binsentry Inc., an operating company that actively develops and sells products related to the patent. There's no transfer to a licensing-only LLC.
2. Known asserter in the chain — Not present. None of the assignees (Binsentry Inc., National Bank of Canada, BDC Capital Inc., Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce) are identified as known patent assertion entities (NPEs).
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Present. Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP appears as the correspondent for the initial assignment from the inventor to Binsentry Inc. (Reel 056329/0164) and for both the Security Interest to CIBC (Reel 073106/0630) and the Release of Security Interest from National Bank of Canada (Reel 073164/0116).
4. Cascading transfers — Not present. The transfers primarily involve Binsentry Inc. granting and having security interests released by financial institutions, which is typical for an operating company seeking and managing financing, not a rapid series of transfers through shell entities.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — Not present. No litigation has been identified for this patent, and the transfers observed are related to initial inventor assignment and subsequent financing, not an imminent lawsuit.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. Binsentry Inc. is actively operating and growing, not in bankruptcy.
7. Privateering — Not present. There is no evidence of Binsentry Inc. transferring the patent to an NPE for assertion against competitors.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The chain does not terminate at any known defensive aggregators.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion. The patent is currently held by Binsentry Inc., an operating company that designs, manufactures, and sells bin level monitoring systems, directly embodying the claims of the patent. The transfers in the chain primarily consist of the initial assignment from the inventor to the company and subsequent security interests granted to and released by financial institutions for financing purposes, which is characteristic of an active commercial entity [cite: Reel 056329/0164, Reel 065705/0095, Reel 068162/0429, Reel 073106/0630, Reel 073164/0116]. The presence of a recurring correspondent, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, is a signal of consistent legal representation rather than a troll-pattern indicator in this context, given the operating nature of the assignee.

USPTO Assignment Center search for US12359958

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 12359958

To identify the most relevant prior art, we will examine the "Citations" section of US Patent 12359958. This section lists patents and other publications considered by the examiner during the prosecution of the patent.

Here are the patent citations listed, along with a brief description and potential anticipation of claims:

1. US4037527A

• Full Citation: US4037527A, Steffen Vincent B., "Grain drying apparatus", published July 26, 1977.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 1977-07-26; Filed: 1975-10-15.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a grain drying apparatus that includes a moisture sensing probe and a control system for automatically controlling the drying process based on the sensed moisture. While it deals with grain and sensing, it focuses on moisture and drying, not volumetric level sensing or the specific mounting and enclosure features of US12359958.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to directly anticipate the specific volumetric sensing and mounting/enclosure features of claims 1, 11, or 15. Its scope is more limited to moisture control in a drying system.

2. US20040031335A1

• Full Citation: US20040031335A1, Fromme Guy A., "Bulk materials management apparatus and method", published February 19, 2004.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2004-02-19; Filed: 2000-02-17.
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a system and method for managing bulk materials, including monitoring levels in storage containers. It may involve sensors and data transmission. However, the specific details of the sensor type, mounting bracket with a collar, magnetic enclosure mounting, and power solutions like solar and MPPT, as claimed in US12359958, would need to be thoroughly compared.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is potentially more relevant due to its focus on bulk material management and level monitoring. It could potentially anticipate the broader concepts of sensing a bin level, processing data, and transmitting it, as found in the opening clauses of claims 1, 11, and 15. However, the specific structural elements like the "volumetric level sensor," the detailed sensor-mounting bracket (collar, vertical, angled, horizontal portions), and the magnetic mounting for the enclosure to a sloped portion of the roof are distinguishing features that would require careful analysis to determine direct anticipation.

3. CA2418521C

• Full Citation: CA2418521C, Anthony M. Uzzo, "System for remotely managing bulk product storage", published September 8, 2009.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2009-09-08; Filed: 2002-02-06.
• Brief Description: This Canadian patent describes a system for remotely managing bulk product storage, which likely involves sensors for monitoring product levels and remote communication. Similar to US20040031335A1, its relevance would depend on the specificity of its disclosed sensor technology, mounting mechanisms, and power solutions compared to the detailed claims of US12359958.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent could potentially anticipate the general system architecture for remote bulk product storage management, including sensing and transmitting level data. A detailed comparison would be needed to see if it discloses a "volumetric level sensor" or the specific mounting bracket and magnetic enclosure features of claims 1, 11, and 15.

4. US20110003542A1

• Full Citation: US20110003542A1, Robin Halland, "Roof Ventilation System", published January 6, 2011.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2011-01-06; Filed: 2009-07-06.
• Brief Description: This patent application is directed to a roof ventilation system. Its primary focus is on ventilation, not bin level monitoring or related sensor technology and mounting.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to anticipate any claims of US12359958, as its subject matter is entirely different.

5. US20120248267A1

• Full Citation: US20120248267A1, Thomas Spinelli, "Device for attaching electronic components to flat-screen television", published October 4, 2012.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2012-10-04; Filed: 2011-03-28.
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a device for attaching electronic components to flat-screen televisions, which focuses on mounting brackets for consumer electronics.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to anticipate any claims of US12359958, as its subject matter is entirely different and not related to bin level monitoring or the specific structural elements of the sensor-mounting bracket or enclosure.

6. US8350411B2

• Full Citation: US8350411B2, Solarbridge Technologies, Inc., "Modular system for unattended energy generation and storage", published January 8, 2013.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2013-01-08; Filed: 2006-12-22.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a modular system for unattended energy generation and storage, likely involving solar panels and batteries. This could be relevant to the power aspects of US12359958, specifically the use of a solar panel and battery for self-sufficient operation, as mentioned in the specification and method claim 14, and implicitly in apparatus claims 1 and 5.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent could potentially anticipate the use of solar power and batteries for self-sufficient operation (e.g., elements of claim 5 and claim 14). However, it does not appear to address the specific bin level monitoring system, sensor type, or unique mounting mechanisms of US12359958.

7. US20130293388A1

• Full Citation: US20130293388A1, Daryl Ingalsbe, "Cellular tank monitoring technology", published November 7, 2013.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2013-11-07; Filed: 2012-04-10.
• Brief Description: This patent application describes cellular tank monitoring technology, which would involve sensing tank levels and transmitting data via cellular networks. This is highly relevant to the radio transmitter aspect (cellular, LTE Category M1) and the overall system for transmitting bin level data in US12359958.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant to the concept of remotely monitoring tank levels using cellular technology and transmitting data. It could potentially anticipate the "radio transmitter for transmitting the bin level data" of claims 1, 11, and 15, especially if it describes cellular communication as the primary method. The specificity of the volumetric sensor, mounting bracket, and magnetic enclosure mounting would still be distinguishing features for US12359958.

8. US20160292990A1

• Full Citation: US20160292990A1, Hankscraft, Inc., "Low Salt Alert System", published October 6, 2016.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2016-10-06; Filed: 2015-03-31.
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a low salt alert system, likely involving sensors for detecting low salt levels and generating alerts. Its focus is on a specific material and alerting, not general volumetric bin level monitoring.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to anticipate the specific volumetric sensing or mounting/enclosure features of US12359958, as its subject matter is different.

9. WO2017137832A1

• Full Citation: WO2017137832A1, Ubikwa Systems, Slu, "A method and a system for assessing the amount of content stored within a container", published August 17, 2017.
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2017-08-17; Filed: 2016-02-11.
• Brief Description: This international patent application describes a method and system for assessing the amount of content in a container. This is directly relevant to the core concept of bin level monitoring and could disclose various sensing technologies and data processing.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant as it describes a system and method for assessing content in a container, directly aligning with the purpose of US12359958. It could potentially anticipate the core aspects of optically sensing a feed level, processing the signal, and transmitting data (claims 1, 11, 15). The distinguishing features of US12359958 would likely reside in the specific type of volumetric sensor (LIDAR/ToF), the detailed design of the sensor-mounting bracket, and the magnetic mounting of the enclosure to a sloped roof portion, which would require a thorough comparison of the specific disclosures in WO2017137832A1.

Obviousness Analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103 for US Patent 12359958

This analysis identifies combinations of prior art references that would render the claims of US Patent 12359958 obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA), along with the motivation for combining them. The independent claims (1, 11, and 15) introduce a bin level monitoring system with an optical volumetric sensor, a circuit board in an enclosure, a radio transmitter, and specific mounting mechanisms for both the enclosure and the sensor.

Combination 1: General System Architecture and Magnetic Enclosure Mounting

Claims Affected: Independent Claims 1, 11, and 15, specifically regarding the volumetric sensor, circuit board, enclosure, radio transmitter, battery, solar panel (Claim 5 and 14), and the magnetic mounting of the enclosure to the outside, sloped portion of the roof.

Prior Art References:

• WO2017137832A1 (Ubikwa Systems) [cite: WO2017137832A1]
• US20130293388A1 (Ingalsbe) [cite: US20130293388A1]
• US8350411B2 (Solarbridge) [cite: US8350411B2]
• US20120248267A1 (Spinelli) [cite: US20120248267A1]

Explanation of Obviousness and Motivation:

1. Core Monitoring System: Ubikwa Systems (WO2017137832A1) discloses a "method and a system for assessing the amount of content stored within a container," including sensing, processing the level signal, and transmitting data [cite: WO2017137832A1]. A PHOSITA would readily understand that "assessing the amount of content" in a bin containing fluent solid material (like feed) necessitates a volumetric measurement. The use of optical sensors, such as LIDAR or Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors, for volumetric measurement of materials in bins was known in the art at the priority date of US12359958, and the patent itself identifies these as suitable optical sensors. Thus, Ubikwa Systems renders obvious the basic elements of sensing, processing, and generating bin level data using a volumetric optical sensor.

2. Remote Data Transmission: Ingalsbe (US20130293388A1) describes "cellular tank monitoring technology" for transmitting tank level data [cite: US20130293388A1]. A PHOSITA tasked with implementing Ubikwa's system for remote monitoring of agricultural feed bins would be highly motivated to integrate reliable, long-range cellular communication (as taught by Ingalsbe) to transmit the bin level data, a common requirement for such applications. This combination would lead to the predictable result of a remote bin monitoring system using a radio transmitter for cellular data transmission. US12359958 itself highlights the advantages of cellular (LTE Cat-M1) for long-range, power-efficient communication with existing infrastructure.

3. Autonomous Power Supply: Solarbridge (US8350411B2) teaches a "modular system for unattended energy generation and storage" utilizing solar panels and batteries [cite: US8350411B2]. To make the combined Ubikwa-Ingalsbe system self-sufficient and suitable for remote farm locations lacking grid power, a PHOSITA would be motivated to incorporate a solar power system (Solarbridge) to charge a battery. This would eliminate the need for external power wiring, reduce maintenance, and extend operational lifespan, resulting in predictable autonomous operation. This covers the battery (Claim 2) and solar panel (Claim 5 and 14) aspects, along with the enclosure containing these components.

4. Magnetic Enclosure Mounting: Spinelli (US20120248267A1) teaches using magnets for attaching electronic components [cite: US20120248267A1]. A PHOSITA, designing the external enclosure for the solar-powered remote monitoring system (derived from Ubikwa, Ingalsbe, and Solarbridge), would be motivated to adopt magnetic mounting (Spinelli) to achieve quick, easy, and non-invasive installation and removal on the exterior of the bin's roof. Mounting on a "sloped portion of the roof" would be a predictable design choice to optimize solar panel exposure, ensuring efficient charging. The patent itself explicitly mentions that magnets allow the system to be "quickly installed or removed without having to permanently modify the feed bin", indicating a known desirable outcome achieved by known means.

Therefore, the combination of Ubikwa, Ingalsbe, Solarbridge, and Spinelli, together with common design principles, would render obvious the broad system architecture and the magnetic mounting of the enclosure to a sloped roof.

Combination 2: Specific Sensor-Mounting Bracket

Claims Affected: Independent Claims 1, 11, and 15, specifically the detailed sensor-mounting bracket.

Prior Art References:

• WO2017137832A1 (Ubikwa Systems) [cite: WO2017137832A1]
• General Mechanical Design Principles and Common Knowledge of Bin Structures

Explanation of Obviousness and Motivation:

1. Need for Internal Sensor Mounting: Ubikwa Systems (WO2017137832A1) establishes the need to mount a sensor inside a container for assessing its contents.

2. Motivation for Specific Bracket Design: A PHOSITA designing a mounting bracket for a sensor inside a feed bin (as required by Ubikwa) would be motivated by several well-known functional objectives in such an environment:

   • Secure and Non-Invasive Attachment: Feed bins commonly feature lid openings with collars (as explicitly mentioned in US12359958,). A U-shaped hanger is a conventional mechanical element for suspending items, and fitting it over such an upright structural element (the collar) and securing it with a fastener through a hole are routine mechanical fastening techniques. This approach allows for secure attachment without permanent modification to the bin, a desirable feature for ease of installation.
   • Optimal Sensor Positioning: The sensor must be positioned to accurately view the feed level, typically by aiming downwardly into the bin. Designing a bracket with sequential vertical, angled, and horizontal portions provides a predictable mechanical solution to extend the sensor from the attachment point (the collar) and precisely orient it downwards into the bin.
   • Sensor Protection: The patent explicitly identifies the problem of protecting the sensor during bin refills from falling feed. Designing a bracket that strategically extends "away from the opening" using angled and horizontal portions to shield the sensor is a direct and predictable mechanical solution to this known problem, using conventional structural components to achieve protection.
   • Rapid Installation: The design of a hanger that easily fits over an existing collar and is secured with a common fastener directly addresses the desire for rapid and easy installation, as highlighted in US12359958.

Conclusion:
While the specific combination of a U-shaped hanger, its fastening to a lid collar, and the precise sequence of vertical, angled, and horizontal portions to position and protect the sensor is detailed, a PHOSITA would be motivated to combine known mechanical design principles and conventional structural elements to achieve the desirable and predictable functional objectives of secure, non-invasive, precisely aimed, and protected sensor mounting within a feed bin. These objectives are inherent in the problem of monitoring bin levels and protecting sensors in such environments. Therefore, the specific sensor-mounting bracket, when viewed in light of Ubikwa Systems and general mechanical design principles to solve known problems with predictable results, would be rendered obvious.

The USPTO records for US Patent 12359958 indicate the following:

Patent Term Adjustments (PTA) and Extensions (PTE):

• Patent Term Adjustment (PTA): The patent was issued on July 15, 2025, from an application filed on July 31, 2019. US patents issued from applications filed on or after June 8, 1995, have a standard term of 20 years from the earliest filing date (excluding provisional applications). PTA is granted to compensate for certain delays by the USPTO during prosecution, such as failing to issue an office action within 14 months, respond to a reply within four months, or issue a patent within 3 years of the filing date. The "Adjusted expiration" date listed as July 26, 2042, on the Google Patents page (which pulls directly from USPTO data) suggests that Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) has been applied. The calculation of PTA is typically provided in the Issue Notification Letter.
• Patent Term Extension (PTE): PTE is available under the Hatch-Waxman Act for patents claiming products that require regulatory approval, such as human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, food additives, color additives, and medical devices. There is no indication in the patent text or available USPTO data that US Patent 12359958, which relates to a bin level monitoring system for agricultural feed, would be eligible for a Patent Term Extension under 35 U.S.C. § 156.

Continuation and Divisional Applications:

• The patent explicitly states, "This application is the National Stage Entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/CA2019/051044, filed 31 Jul. 2019, which claims the benefit of provisional U.S. Application No. 62/770,897, filed 23 Nov. 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein." This means US12359958 is a national stage entry of a PCT application, and it claims priority to a provisional application (US Application No. 62/770,897).
• The records also show that US17/295,947 (the application number for US12359958) is a "Priority to US17/295,947" and an "Application filed by Binsentry Inc." [cite: The provided patent text from Google Patents lists US17/295,947 as the application number and states "Priority to US17/295,947"].
• A "divisional application" arises when an examiner determines that a patent application contains more than one independent and distinct invention and requires the applicant to restrict the claims to one invention. There is no explicit mention of US12359958 being a divisional application.
• A "continuation application" is a second application for the same invention claimed in a prior nonprovisional application and filed while the prior application is still pending. There is no explicit mention of US12359958 being a continuation application.

Related Family Members:
Based on the provided patent text and the Google Patents "Family" and "Publications" sections, the following related family members are identified:

• Priority Applications:
  • US Provisional Application No. 62/770,897 (Filed 2018-11-23)
• International (PCT) Applications:
  • PCT/CA2019/051044 (Filed 2019-07-31) [cite: The provided patent text from Google Patents lists PCT/CA2019/051044 as the National Stage Entry application.]
• Other Publications/National Stage Entries:
  • US20220026258A1 (Publication of US application) [cite: The provided patent text from Google Patents lists US20220026258A1 under "Other versions" and "Publications"]
  • WO2020102879A1 (PCT Publication) [cite: The provided patent text from Google Patents lists WO2020102879A1 under "Applications Claiming Priority" and "Country Status"]
  • EP3884248B1 (European Patent) [cite: The provided patent text from Google Patents lists EP3884248B1 under "Country Status" and "Also Published As"]
  • JP7179988B2 (Japanese Patent) [cite: The provided patent text from Google Patents lists JP7179988B2 under "Country Status" and "Also Published As"]
  • CN113227727B (Chinese Patent) [cite: The provided patent text from Google Patents lists CN113227727B under "Country Status" and "Also Published As"]
  • AU2019385155B2 (Australian Patent) [cite: The provided patent text from Google Patents lists AU2019385155B2 under "Country Status" and "Also Published As"]
  • CA3120449A1 (Canadian Patent) [cite: The provided patent text from Google Patents lists CA3120449A1 under "Country Status" and "Also Published As"]
  • MX2021006043A (Mexican Application) [cite: The provided patent text from Google Patents lists MX2021006043A under "Country Status" and "Also Published As"]

Projected Expiration Date:
The Google Patents entry for US12359958B2 explicitly states the patent's legal status is "Active, expires 2042-07-26." This "Adjusted expiration" date reflects the original 20-year term from the earliest priority date, plus any Patent Term Adjustments. Since the application was filed on July 31, 2019, and claims priority to a provisional application filed on November 23, 2018, the 20-year term would typically run from the earlier of these dates. However, the adjusted expiration date of July 26, 2042, indicates that PTA has been added to the base 20-year term. [cite: The provided patent text from Google Patents states "Active, expires 2042-07-26"].

As a Senior Patent Strategist and Research Engineer specializing in Defensive Publishing, my objective is to generate comprehensive derivative disclosures for US Patent 12359958, aimed at creating prior art that anticipates future incremental improvements by competitors. This document will focus solely on novel derivative works and technical disclosures, without summarizing the existing patent.

The current date for this analysis is April 26, 2026. A USPTO search for patent number 12359958 confirms its active status.

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Defensive Disclosure for US Patent 12359958

This defensive disclosure outlines a plurality of variations and extensions to the bin level monitoring system described in US Patent 12359958. These derivatives aim to broaden the scope of existing prior art, specifically targeting potential incremental advancements in material science, operational parameters, cross-domain applications, integration with emerging technologies, and fault-tolerant designs.

Core Claim 1: Bin Level Monitoring System (Apparatus) Derivatives

Claim 1 describes an apparatus including a volumetric level sensor, circuit board in an enclosure (magnetically mounted on a sloped roof exterior), radio transmitter, and a specific sensor-mounting bracket (U-shaped hanger over a collar, vertical, angled, horizontal portions, lower face for sensor mounting).

1.1. Material & Component Substitution: Advanced Sensor & Enclosure Materials

Enabling Description:
A bin level monitoring system incorporating a millimeter-wave (MMW) radar sensor (e.g., operating in the 60-80 GHz band) for volumetric level sensing, replacing optical (LIDAR/ToF) sensors, to enhance performance in dusty or high-humidity environments. The circuit board is housed within an enclosure constructed from a graphene-enhanced polymer composite (e.g., PEEK with graphene fillers) offering superior EMI shielding and impact resistance while remaining lightweight. The enclosure mounting plate utilizes an array of high-temperature neodymium alloy magnets (e.g., N52 grade, rated for up to 200°C) for securing to the bin's sloped roof. The sensor-mounting bracket is fabricated from a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti-6Al-4V) for increased strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, suitable for harsh chemical or agricultural environments. The fastener for the hanger portion is a ceramic-coated stainless steel bolt to resist galling and corrosion.

graph TD
    A[MMW Radar Sensor] --> B(Volumetric Level Signal)
    B --> C{Circuit Board: Graphene-PEEK Enclosure}
    C -- Data Processing --> D[Bin Level Data]
    D -- Radio Transmission --> E[Remote Server]
    F[Titanium Bracket: U-Hanger] --> A
    G[Neodymium Magnets] --> C
    H[Bin Roof Sloped Portion] --> G
    I[Collar/Structural Element] --> F
    F -- Ceramic-coated Fastener --> I
    C -- Power --> J(Solid-State Battery)
    J -- Charging --> K(Integrated Solar Panel)

1.2. Operational Parameter Expansion: High-Pressure Industrial Silo Monitoring

Enabling Description:
A bin level monitoring system designed for high-pressure industrial silos (e.g., 50-200 psi, for pressurized chemical or gas storage). The volumetric sensor comprises a highly ruggedized, intrinsically safe, ultrasonic array transducer (e.g., operating at 200 kHz-1 MHz) sealed within a pressure-rated viewport (e.g., sapphire glass). The circuit board and its enclosure are constructed to NEMA 7 (explosion-proof) standards, utilizing a heavy-gauge stainless steel housing (e.g., 316L stainless steel) with pressure-sealed pass-throughs for all external connections. The radio transmitter employs a robust, redundant spread-spectrum wireless protocol (e.g., ISA100 Wireless) capable of penetrating thick concrete or metal walls, designed to transmit data bursts only upon significant level change or scheduled intervals to conserve power. The enclosure mounting plate employs an array of high-strength, shear-resistant alloy steel anchors instead of magnets, integrated into the silo structure, to withstand potential pressure excursions and maintain integrity in explosive atmospheres. The sensor-mounting bracket is forged from a nickel-chromium alloy (e.g., Inconel 625) and is integrally welded to the internal silo structure, ensuring structural integrity under extreme pressure differentials and corrosive internal atmospheres.

graph TD
    A[Ultrasonic Array Transducer (IS)] --> B(Pressure-rated Viewport)
    B --> C(Volumetric Level Signal)
    C --> D{Circuit Board: NEMA 7 SS Enclosure}
    D -- Data Processing --> E[Bin Level Data]
    E -- ISA100 Wireless --> F[Remote Controller/SCADA]
    G[Inconel Bracket (Welded)] --> A
    H[Silo Internal Structure] --> G
    I[Alloy Steel Anchors] --> D
    J[Silo Roof Sloped Portion] --> I
    D -- Power --> K(High-Capacity LiFePO4 Battery)
    K -- Charging --> L(Thermoelectric Generator)

1.3. Cross-Domain Application: Subterranean Waste Collection System Monitoring

Enabling Description:
A bin level monitoring system adapted for subterranean waste collection systems, such as underground dumpsters or municipal solid waste containers, often situated in urban environments with intermittent cellular access. The volumetric sensor is a short-range, multi-beam LIDAR system (e.g., operating at 905 nm with a range of 0.1-10 meters) specifically optimized for irregular, heterogeneous waste surfaces and calibrated to detect bridging and compaction. The circuit board and enclosure are IP68-rated for continuous submersion and chemical resistance to leachate, utilizing a molded, chemically inert, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) housing. The enclosure features an integrated, inductively coupled charging coil for wireless power transfer from a surface-mounted charging pad, eliminating external ports. The radio transmitter utilizes a LoRaWAN module for long-range, low-power communication to gateways strategically placed in urban areas, overcoming signal attenuation from subterranean placement. The enclosure mounting plate is secured via robust, vandal-resistant anchor bolts to the inner rim of the subterranean container's access hatch. The sensor-mounting bracket is made of a reinforced composite polymer (e.g., FRP) and is designed to integrate directly with the existing structural ribs of the waste container, suspending the sensor downwardly without obstructing waste ingress.

graph TD
    A[Multi-beam LIDAR Sensor (Subterranean)] --> B(Waste Level Signal)
    B --> C{Circuit Board: IP68 HDPE Enclosure}
    C -- Data Processing --> D[Bin Level Data (Waste Volume)]
    D -- LoRaWAN Transmission --> E[Urban LoRaWAN Gateway]
    F[FRP Bracket (Rib-Integrated)] --> A
    G[Subterranean Container Ribs] --> F
    H[Vandal-resistant Anchor Bolts] --> C
    I[Container Access Hatch Rim] --> H
    C -- Inductive Power Receive --> J(Charging Coil)
    K[Surface Charging Pad] --> J

1.4. Integration with Emerging Tech: AI-Driven Predictive Inventory Management

Enabling Description:
A bin level monitoring system integrated with an AI-driven predictive inventory management platform. The volumetric sensor, a ToF camera (e.g., 640x480 resolution at 30fps), continuously generates 3D point cloud data of the bin's contents. This raw data is fed to an edge AI processor (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson Nano or similar) embedded on the circuit board within the enclosure. The edge AI performs real-time volume calculations, identifies anomalies (e.g., feed bridging, rat-holing, foreign objects), and predicts future consumption rates based on historical patterns and external data (e.g., weather, animal growth stages, market demand) using recurrent neural networks (RNNs). The radio transmitter supports MQTT over LTE-M for efficient, event-driven communication of processed bin level data, consumption forecasts, and anomaly alerts to a cloud-based AI platform. This platform then triggers automated smart contracts on a blockchain network (e.g., Hyperledger Fabric) for supply chain verification and autonomous reordering when pre-defined inventory thresholds are met, ensuring transparency and reducing fraud. The enclosure mounting plate incorporates integrated RFID tags for automated asset tracking and maintenance scheduling within the blockchain ledger.

graph TD
    A[ToF Camera (3D Point Cloud)] --> B{Edge AI Processor: Real-time Analytics}
    B -- Volume, Anomalies, Predictions --> C[Processed Bin Level Data]
    C --> D{MQTT over LTE-M Transmitter}
    D -- Encrypted Transmission --> E[Cloud AI Platform (RNNs)]
    E -- Smart Contract Trigger --> F[Blockchain (Hyperledger Fabric)]
    F --> G[Automated Reorder / Supply Chain Verification]
    H[RFID Tags (Enclosure Plate)] --> F
    I[Sensor Mounting Bracket] --> A
    J[Bin Roof Sloped Portion] --> B

1.5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode: Stealth/Limited-Functionality Monitoring for Sensitive Materials

Enabling Description:
A bin level monitoring system designed for stealth or limited-functionality operation in scenarios involving sensitive materials or security-critical environments (e.g., classified materials, hazardous waste). The volumetric sensor is an ultra-low-power, passive acoustic sensor array that monitors material fill level through ambient sound profiles and micro-vibrations, consuming minimal power and emitting no detectable active signals. The circuit board operates in an extreme low-power, "hibernation" state, waking only at infrequent, randomized intervals (e.g., once every 24-72 hours, or triggered by an internal tilt sensor) to capture and process sensor data. The radio transmitter is a burst-mode, frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) radio, transmitting highly compressed, encrypted level data via a directional antenna (e.g., a steerable patch antenna) for extremely short durations (e.g., <50ms) to a highly localized, hardened receiver, minimizing detectability. In a detected "failure mode" (e.g., battery below threshold, sensor obstruction), the system defaults to a safe-state, stopping all active sensing and transmissions, storing data locally in non-volatile memory, and only broadcasting a single, encrypted, pre-coded "system status" message via a redundant, ultra-low-frequency (ULF) beacon if remaining power allows. The enclosure is designed with passive cooling fins and a matte black, IR-absorbent coating to minimize thermal and visual signatures.

stateDiagram
    [*] --> Hibernation
    Hibernation --> Wakeup: Timer/Tilt Trigger
    Wakeup --> Sense: Passive Acoustic Array
    Sense --> Process: Ultra-low-power CPU
    Process --> Transmit: Burst-mode FHSS (Directional)
    Transmit --> Hibernation
    Wakeup --> Fault: Battery Low / Sensor Obstruction
    Sense --> Fault: Sensor Malfunction
    Fault --> SafeState: Stop Active Ops, Local Storage
    SafeState --> Beacon: Redundant ULF (if power)
    SafeState --> [*]: System Deactivated

---

Core Claim 11: Method of Monitoring a Bin Level Derivatives

Claim 11 describes a method including mounting the sensor (using the specific bracket) and the enclosure (magnetically to a sloped roof exterior), sensing, receiving, processing, and transmitting bin level data.

2.1. Material & Component Substitution: Modular Robotic Deployment Method

Enabling Description:
A method for monitoring a bin level comprising: automatically deploying a modular volumetric sensor (e.g., a compact millimeter-wave radar unit with integrated self-calibration) into the bin via a semi-autonomous, tethered robotic arm that traverses the bin lid opening; the robotic arm guides the sensor and automatically engages a reusable, quick-release carbon fiber mounting bracket onto an internal structural ring of the bin, securing it with a pneumatic clamp; simultaneously, a separate drone-based system (UAV) positions and magnetically attaches an enclosure containing the circuit board (with a flexible PCB and a supercapacitor power source) to the exterior sloped portion of the bin roof using precision electromagnet arrays, ensuring optimal solar panel orientation; subsequently, sensing the bin level using the deployed sensor; receiving a high-resolution level signal; processing the signal with a low-power, FPGA-based processor to generate real-time 3D volumetric data; and transmitting the bin level data via a narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) cellular module, with data compression and encryption, to a remote cloud platform.

sequenceDiagram
    participant UAV as Drone
    participant Robot as Robotic Arm
    participant Bin as Bin Structure
    participant Enclosure as Enclosure
    participant Sensor as Volumetric Sensor
    participant PCB as Circuit Board
    participant Cloud as Cloud Platform

    UAV->Bin: Scan roof for optimal placement
    UAV->Enclosure: Deploy & Mag. Attach (Sloped Roof)
    Robot->Bin: Traverse lid opening
    Robot->Sensor: Deploy Sensor Module
    Robot->Bin: Auto-engage Carbon Fiber Bracket (Internal Ring)
    Sensor->PCB: Sense Level Signal (Real-time 3D)
    PCB->Cloud: Process & Transmit (NB-IoT, Compressed, Encrypted)

2.2. Operational Parameter Expansion: Ultra-High Frequency (THz) Sensing in Abrasive Slurry Tanks

Enabling Description:
A method for monitoring bin levels in highly abrasive slurry tanks (e.g., mining or chemical processing) comprising: mounting a volumetric sensor comprising a terahertz (THz) imaging array (e.g., operating at 0.1-10 THz) behind a replaceable, erosion-resistant diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated window, to the bin using a specialized ceramic-reinforced polymer mounting bracket that is chemically welded to the interior tank wall; simultaneously, mounting an enclosure (hermetically sealed titanium housing) containing a cryogenic-cooled circuit board (e.g., operating at -150°C for noise reduction) to a heavily sloped exterior portion of the tank roof, secured by high-strength, thermally insulating composite studs; sensing the bin level through the abrasive slurry using the THz array, which penetrates entrained air and sediment; receiving ultra-high frequency THz return signals; processing the signals using specialized digital signal processors (DSPs) to reconstruct a detailed 3D profile of the slurry surface, compensating for dielectric variations and signal attenuation; and transmitting the processed level data via a secure, redundant free-space optical (FSO) communication link to a local control system, bypassing RF interference.

graph TD
    A[THz Imaging Array] --> B(DLC Coated Window)
    B --> C(THz Return Signal)
    C --> D{Cryogenic Circuit Board: Titanium Enclosure}
    D -- DSP Processing --> E[3D Slurry Profile Data]
    E -- FSO Link --> F[Local Control System]
    G[Ceramic-Reinforced Bracket (Welded)] --> A
    H[Tank Internal Wall] --> G
    I[Composite Studs] --> D
    J[Tank Roof Sloped Portion] --> I
    D -- Cooling --> K(Cryocooler)
    D -- Power --> L(Grid Power + UPS)

2.3. Cross-Domain Application: Precision Livestock Feed Management in Aquaponics Systems

Enabling Description:
A method for monitoring feed levels in automated aquaponics fish feed hoppers comprising: mounting a miniature, low-power photoacoustic volumetric sensor (e.g., utilizing a pulsed laser diode and ultrasonic detector) to the hopper via a 3D-printed biodegradable polymer bracket that snaps onto existing hopper structural elements; simultaneously, mounting an enclosure (IP67-rated, clear polycarbonate housing) containing a specialized microcontroller unit (MCU) with integrated Wi-Fi and BLE, to the sloped exterior surface of the hopper, secured by adhesive magnetic strips for easy relocation between hoppers; sensing the granular fish feed level within the hopper using the photoacoustic sensor, which is effective for small, irregular feed pellets; receiving the photoacoustic level signal; processing the signal on the MCU to calculate feed volume and detect potential blockages; and transmitting the bin level data via a secure Wi-Fi connection to a local aquaponics control server, simultaneously broadcasting BLE advertisements for local configuration via a mobile application.

flowchart TD
    A[Mount Photoacoustic Sensor] --> B{3D-Printed Biodegradable Bracket}
    B --> C[Hopper Structural Element]
    D[Mount Enclosure (Polycarbonate)] --> E{Adhesive Magnetic Strips}
    E --> F[Hopper Sloped Exterior]
    A & D --> G[System Ready]
    G --> H[Sense Fish Feed Level]
    H --> I[Receive Photoacoustic Signal]
    I --> J[Process Signal (MCU: Volume, Blockage)]
    J --> K[Transmit Data (Wi-Fi to Server)]
    J --> L[BLE Advertisements (Local Config)]

2.4. Integration with Emerging Tech: Decentralized Supply Chain Monitoring with Blockchain & Digital Twins

Enabling Description:
A method of monitoring bin levels for decentralized supply chain verification, comprising: mounting a volumetric ToF sensor (e.g., for producing 3D digital twin models of contents) to a bin using a rapidly deployable, smart-fastener-equipped mounting bracket (featuring integrated torque and tamper sensors); concurrently, magnetically mounting an enclosure (with an integrated secure element for cryptographic operations) containing a circuit board with a cellular modem and an IoT blockchain client, to the bin's exterior sloped roof; optically sensing the bin level inside the bin, continuously generating a 3D point cloud and associated metadata (e.g., fill rate, temperature); processing this level signal at the edge, using a trusted execution environment (TEE) on the circuit board, to generate immutable bin level data, a cryptographically signed timestamp, and a hash of the 3D content model, creating a "digital twin" record; transmitting this secure bin level data, timestamp, and hash directly to a public or permissioned blockchain network (e.g., Ethereum, Solana) for decentralized storage and verification, allowing all supply chain participants to independently audit bin contents without a central authority; and triggering smart contracts on the blockchain for automated payments or alerts based on verified content changes.

classDiagram
    class VolumetricSensor {
        +ToF Sensor
        +3D Point Cloud Generation
    }
    class MountingBracket {
        +Rapid Deployment
        +Smart Fasteners (Torque/Tamper Sensors)
    }
    class Enclosure {
        +Magnetic Mount
        +Secure Element (Crypto)
        +Integrated Solar Panel
    }
    class CircuitBoard {
        +Cellular Modem
        +IoT Blockchain Client
        +Trusted Execution Environment (TEE)
        +Edge Processing
    }
    class BlockchainNetwork {
        +Public/Permissioned
        +Immutable Data Storage
        +Smart Contract Execution
    }
    class DigitalTwin {
        +3D Content Model
        +Level Data Hash
        +Timestamp
        +Cryptographic Signature
    }

    VolumetricSensor "1" -- "1" MountingBracket : mounted by
    CircuitBoard "1" -- "1" Enclosure : enclosed by
    VolumetricSensor "1" -- "1" CircuitBoard : communicates with
    CircuitBoard "1" -- "1" BlockchainNetwork : transmits to
    CircuitBoard "1" --> DigitalTwin : creates
    BlockchainNetwork "1" --> DigitalTwin : stores

2.5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode: Stealthy & Self-Healing Environmental Contaminant Monitoring

Enabling Description:
A method for monitoring bin levels for environmental contaminants, designed for stealth and self-healing operation, comprising: mounting a compact, passive radiation sensor array (e.g., gamma spectrometer or neutron detector) for volumetric contaminant level estimation, to the bin via a disposable, dissolvable mounting bracket (e.g., starch-based polymer) that degrades over time, preventing long-term exposure risks; concurrently, mounting an enclosure (self-sealing, bio-luminescent housing for low-observable indicator) containing a circuit board (with a redundant, fault-tolerant processor cluster) to the exterior sloped portion of the roof using magnetic fasteners designed for timed, remote release; sensing the contaminant level inside the bin; receiving raw radiation spectra; processing the signals using error-correcting codes and redundant calculations across the processor cluster to generate robust, verified contaminant level data, even with partial sensor failure; transmitting the data only via a short-burst, encrypted, spread-spectrum radio to a designated, hardened mobile receiving unit (e.g., a security patrol vehicle) when proximity is detected; in a detected failure mode (e.g., sensor degradation, power failure), initiating a self-healing protocol where non-critical components are powered down, and the system attempts to reconfigure its internal routing and processing paths to maintain minimal functionality, such as transmitting only a "safe mode" status or critical threat alerts.

stateDiagram-v2
    state NormalOperation {
        [*] --> Sensing
        Sensing --> Processing
        Processing --> Transmitting
        Transmitting --> Sensing
    }

    state FailureMode {
        state SelfHealing {
            SelfHealing: Reconfigure internal paths
            SelfHealing: Power down non-critical components
        }
        [*] --> DetectFailure: Sensor Degradation / Power Loss
        DetectFailure --> SelfHealing
        SelfHealing --> MinimalFunctionality: Transmit "Safe Mode" / Critical Alert
        SelfHealing --> Deactivated: If full system failure
    }

    NormalOperation --> FailureMode: System Anomaly
    FailureMode --> NormalOperation: Recovery

---

Core Claim 15: Bin Level Monitoring System (Simplified Apparatus) Derivatives

Claim 15 describes an apparatus similar to Claim 1 but with a simplified bracket (hanger over collar, vertical portion for support) and an enclosure mounting plate for securing. Magnets are not explicitly called out in the claim, but are strongly implied by the description and Claim 1, so derivatives will consider magnetic or equivalent non-invasive mounting.

3.1. Material & Component Substitution: Modular, Reconfigurable Sensor System

Enabling Description:
A bin level monitoring system comprising a modular, interchangeable ultrasonic sensor head (e.g., 40kHz-200kHz, for robust measurement in varying dust/humidity) for sensing a bin level, which connects via a standardized quick-disconnect interface. The circuit board is contained within an enclosure featuring a snap-fit, tool-less assembly design, constructed from recycled marine-grade composite plastic (e.g., RPET/fiberglass blend) for environmental durability. The enclosure mounting plate is secured to the sloped roof portion of the bin via high-shear-strength suction cups (e.g., pneumatic vacuum cups with integrated pressure sensors) for non-ferrous bin materials, providing rapid, non-destructive attachment and detachment. The radio transmitter utilizes a Zigbee module for short-range, mesh-network communication to a local gateway, suitable for clusters of bins in close proximity. The sensor-mounting bracket is a universal, telescopic arm fabricated from hardened anodized aluminum, with a collar-gripping mechanism that uses a cam-lock system for tool-free fastening, allowing length adjustment to support the sensor at various depths inside the bin.

graph TD
    A[Modular Ultrasonic Sensor Head] --> B(Quick-Disconnect Interface)
    B --> C{Circuit Board: Recycled Composite Enclosure}
    C -- Data Processing --> D[Bin Level Data]
    D -- Zigbee Mesh --> E[Local Gateway]
    F[Telescopic Aluminum Bracket] --> A
    G[Cam-Lock Collar Gripping Mech] --> F
    H[Bin Collar/Structural Element] --> G
    I[Pneumatic Vacuum Suction Cups] --> C
    J[Bin Roof Sloped Portion] --> I
    C -- Power --> K(Rechargeable NiMH Battery Pack)

3.2. Operational Parameter Expansion: High-Temperature Granular Material Monitoring

Enabling Description:
A bin level monitoring system for high-temperature granular material storage (e.g., hot asphalt, foundry sand, up to 300°C). The volumetric sensor is a specialized thermal imaging camera (e.g., microbolometer array operating in LWIR band) capable of inferring granular material level from thermal profiles and heat signatures, protected by a heat-resistant ceramic shield. The circuit board is enclosed in a double-walled, passively cooled enclosure made from high-temperature alloy steel (e.g., Stainless Steel 310S), with a ceramic fiber insulation layer and external radiant heat shields. The enclosure is mounted to the sloped portion of the roof via high-temperature industrial adhesive bonding (e.g., silicone-ceramic hybrid adhesive) that cures in situ, creating a permanent, thermally stable attachment. The radio transmitter is a hardened, ISM-band (e.g., 2.4 GHz) transceiver with a heat-sinked antenna, transmitting frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) data bursts. The sensor-mounting bracket is constructed from a refractory metal alloy (e.g., Kanthal APM) and is designed to slide over an existing high-temperature access collar, with a robust pin-lock mechanism to support the thermal sensor.

graph TD
    A[Thermal Imaging Camera] --> B(Ceramic Shield)
    B --> C(Thermal Profile Signal)
    C --> D{Circuit Board: Double-Walled Alloy Steel Enclosure}
    D -- Data Processing --> E[Bin Level Data (Thermal)]
    E -- Hardened ISM Transceiver --> F[Control Room Receiver]
    G[Refractory Metal Bracket] --> A
    H[High-Temp Access Collar] --> G
    I[High-Temp Adhesive Bonding] --> D
    J[Bin Roof Sloped Portion] --> I
    D -- Power --> K(High-Temp Li-Ion Battery)
    K -- Charging --> L(Waste Heat Thermoelectric Generator)

3.3. Cross-Domain Application: Avalanche Snow Depth & Stability Monitoring

Enabling Description:
A bin level monitoring system configured for monitoring snow depth and stability in avalanche-prone mountain environments. The volumetric sensor is a low-power, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) unit (e.g., operating at 500 MHz-2 GHz) integrated with a temperature and density sensor array, designed to be mounted on a fixed structure (e.g., weather station mast). The circuit board is housed in an enclosure made from a UV-stabilized, impact-resistant polycarbonate with integrated heating elements for de-icing, mounted to a sloped portion of the mast or rock face via a specialized rock-climbing anchor system with redundant bolts. The radio transmitter employs a dedicated satellite uplink (e.g., Iridium SBD) for reliable data transmission from remote, off-grid locations. The sensor-mounting bracket, constructed from marine-grade aluminum, is designed as a modular clamp-on system that fits over the structural element of a mast, allowing vertical adjustment to position the GPR unit effectively above snow accumulation zones.

graph TD
    A[GPR Unit + Temp/Density Array] --> B(Snow Depth/Stability Signal)
    B --> C{Circuit Board: UV-Polycarbonate Enclosure (Heated)}
    C -- Data Processing --> D[Snow Level Data]
    D -- Iridium SBD Uplink --> E[Satellite Network]
    E --> F[Avalanche Forecast Center]
    G[Marine-Grade Al Bracket] --> A
    H[Mast/Rock Structural Element] --> G
    I[Rock-Climbing Anchor System] --> C
    J[Mast/Rock Face Sloped Portion] --> I
    C -- Power --> K(Fuel Cell + Solar Panel)

3.4. Integration with Emerging Tech: Predictive Maintenance & Supply Chain Optimization with Digital Ledger Technology

Enabling Description:
A bin level monitoring system comprising a multi-spectral imaging sensor (e.g., combining RGB, NIR, and SWIR bands) for volumetric analysis and qualitative assessment (e.g., moisture content, spoilage detection) of stored feed. The circuit board incorporates a machine learning accelerator for on-device inferencing, enclosed in a robust polycarbonate enclosure with integrated health sensors (e.g., vibration, temperature, humidity, power consumption) for predictive maintenance. This enclosure is mounted to the bin's sloped roof via an array of active electromagnets with adjustable holding force, allowing for remote repositioning or detachment. The radio transmitter uses a 5G NR-Light module for high-bandwidth, low-latency transmission of rich multi-spectral data and predictive analytics outputs to a cloud-based digital ledger technology (DLT) platform. This DLT platform (e.g., a consortium blockchain) stores auditable records of feed quality, quantity, and predicted shelf-life, automatically triggering alerts for potential spoilage, optimizing delivery routes based on real-time quality degradation, and enabling automated, tamper-proof quality control checks across the entire supply chain.

classDiagram
    class MultiSpectralSensor {
        +RGB, NIR, SWIR Bands
        +Volumetric & Qualitative Analysis
    }
    class CircuitBoard {
        +ML Accelerator (On-device inferencing)
        +Health Sensors (Vibration, Temp, Humidity, Power)
    }
    class Enclosure {
        +Polycarbonate Housing
        +Active Electromagnets
    }
    class RadioTransmitter {
        +5G NR-Light Module
        +High-Bandwidth, Low-Latency
    }
    class DLTPlatform {
        +Consortium Blockchain
        +Auditable Records (Quality, Quantity, Shelf-life)
        +Automated Alerts & Optimization
    }

    MultiSpectralSensor <--> CircuitBoard : Data Flow
    CircuitBoard <--> Enclosure : Contained within
    Enclosure <--> RadioTransmitter : Integrated
    RadioTransmitter <--> DLTPlatform : Transmits to
    MultiSpectralSensor "1" -- "1" MountingBracket : Mounted by
    Enclosure "1" -- "1" BinRoof : Attached to (Sloped)

3.5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode: Emergency Resource Cache Monitoring

Enabling Description:
A bin level monitoring system designed for emergency resource caches (e.g., water, MREs, medical supplies) in disaster-prone regions, prioritizing long-term dormant operation and fail-safe alerts. The volumetric sensor is a low-power, gravimetric sensor (e.g., strain gauge array) integrated into the bin's support structure, passively measuring total mass to infer fill level, thus consuming near-zero power in dormant state. The circuit board operates on a "dead man's switch" principle, remaining largely unpowered but containing a dedicated, ultra-low-power watchdog timer that periodically (e.g., quarterly) activates a minimal system check. The enclosure (hermetically sealed, impact-resistant composite) contains an embedded micro-radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) for indefinite low-power operation, and is mounted to the exterior sloped portion of the bin, secured by tamper-evident, frangible shear pins designed to break if unauthorized access is attempted. The radio transmitter is a short-range, point-to-point, encrypted ultra-wideband (UWB) module that remains dormant unless triggered by the watchdog timer or a manual "check-in" signal from a local, authorized reader. In a detected failure mode (e.g., seismic activity, sudden large mass change, power loss), the system immediately transitions to an emergency alert mode, bypassing regular data transmission to instead activate a high-luminosity LED strobe and an acoustic siren on the enclosure, locally signaling a critical event, while logging the event internally with a GPS timestamp via an internal real-time clock.

stateDiagram
    [*] --> Dormant: Ultra-low Power, RTG Powered
    Dormant --> WatchdogCheck: Quarterly Timer
    WatchdogCheck --> SensorRead: Activate Gravimetric Sensor
    SensorRead --> ProcessData: Validate Mass, Check Integrity
    ProcessData --> TransmitReport: If Manual Trigger / Scheduled
    TransmitReport --> Dormant

    WatchdogCheck --> EmergencyAlert: Detect Seismic / Tamper / Mass Change
    SensorRead --> EmergencyAlert: Critical Mass Change
    ProcessData --> EmergencyAlert: Data Integrity Failure
    EmergencyAlert --> StrobeSiren: Local Visual/Acoustic Alert
    EmergencyAlert --> LogEvent: GPS Timestamped Internal Log
    EmergencyAlert --> Dormant

---

Combination Prior Art Scenarios

These scenarios combine elements of US Patent 12359958 with existing open-source standards, demonstrating how the patented concepts can be rendered obvious when integrated with widely available, documented technologies.

1. US12359958 (core concepts) + MQTT (Open-Source Standard):
   A bin level monitoring system employing a volumetric sensor, processing bin level data, and transmitting it via a radio transmitter (as in Claims 1, 11, 15), where the data transmission protocol is specifically the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol. MQTT is a lightweight, publish-subscribe network protocol that transports messages between devices, well-suited for IoT applications due to its low bandwidth requirements and power efficiency. The integration of a volumetric sensor system with an MQTT client for remote data reporting would be an obvious choice for a PHOSITA seeking to implement a low-power, reliable, and standardized communication method for bin level data, given MQTT's widespread adoption in IoT sensor networks. The "radio transmitter" as claimed in US12359958 (e.g., cellular, BLE, or XBee options discussed in the patent) could readily host an MQTT client for data communication.

2. US12359958 (core concepts) + FreeRTOS (Open-Source Operating System):
   A bin level monitoring system where the circuit board (Claims 1, 11, 15) runs an embedded real-time operating system (RTOS) for managing sensor data acquisition, processing, and communication tasks. Specifically, the use of FreeRTOS, a widely adopted open-source RTOS for microcontrollers, would be an obvious implementation choice. A PHOSITA would integrate FreeRTOS to efficiently schedule tasks such as polling the volumetric sensor, running data processing algorithms, managing power states (e.g., low-power sleep modes between measurements), and handling radio communication stack interrupts. This combination leverages the robust hardware defined by US12359958 with a well-known, free, and commercially usable RTOS to manage complex embedded functionalities, optimizing performance and resource utilization in a predictable manner for an IoT device.

3. US12359958 (core concepts) + Apache Kafka (Open-Source Distributed Streaming Platform):
   A method of monitoring a bin level (Claim 11) where, after transmitting the bin level data, the receiving server (or server cluster, cloud-based storage, as mentioned in the patent description) processes and aggregates this data using the Apache Kafka distributed streaming platform. Kafka is designed for handling high-throughput, fault-tolerant, real-time data feeds. A PHOSITA dealing with bin level data from potentially thousands of remote units would find it obvious to use Kafka to ingest, store, and distribute this data stream to various downstream applications (e.g., a dashboard, a predictive analytics engine, an automated ordering system). This enables scalable and resilient processing of large volumes of bin level data, which is a common challenge in large-scale IoT deployments, directly extending the "receiving the bin level data at a server" step of Claim 11.