Waste detection
AssigneeGOJO Industries, Inc.
InventorMark W. Moore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for waste object detection. For example, a waste alert component is configured to emit ultraviolet light towards a waste detection zone, such as a bathroom floor or countertop. If a waste object, such as a paper towel or other object with a fluoresce property, exists within the waste detection zone, then the waste alert component may detect an increase in light due to the waste object fluorescing visible light in response to the ultraviolet light. If the increase in light intensity exceeds a detection threshold, then the waste alert component may provide a waste detection alert that the waste object exists within the waste detection zone (e.g., a message may be sent to a housekeeper that paper towel waste in on the bathroom countertop).
Claims20
A system for waste object detection, comprising:
- a photo detector configured to measure light intensity of light impinging on the photo detector;
- and
- a waste identification component configured to:
- calibrate a detection threshold based upon a surface type of a surface within a waste detection zone;
- determine a light intensity change based upon an initial light intensity measurement by the photo detector and a subsequent light intensity measurement by the photo detector;
- and
- responsive to the light intensity change exceeding the detection threshold, provide a waste detection alert that a waste object exists within the waste detection zone.
A system for waste object detection, comprising:
- a photo detector configured to measure light intensity of light impinging on the photo detector;
- and
- a waste identification component configured to:
- determine a light intensity change based upon an initial light intensity measurement by the photo detector and a subsequent light intensity measurement by the photo detector;
- evaluate the initial light intensity measurement to determine whether an ambient light source is on or off;
- normalize a detection threshold based upon whether the ambient light source is on or off;
- and
- responsive to the light intensity change exceeding the detection threshold, provide a waste detection alert that a waste object exists within a waste detection zone.
A system for waste object detection, comprising:
- a photo detector configured to measure light intensity of light impinging on the photo detector;
- and
- a waste identification component configured to:
- determine a light intensity change based upon an initial light intensity measurement by the photo detector and a subsequent light intensity measurement by the photo detector;
- determine a detection threshold based upon a fluoresce effect of a type of waste object to be detected;
- and
- responsive to the light intensity change exceeding the detection threshold, provide a waste detection alert that a waste object exists within a waste detection zone.
A system for waste object detection, comprising:
- a photo detector configured to measure light intensity of light impinging on the photo detector;
- and
- a waste identification component configured to:
- perform a sequence of detection cycles, a first detection cycle comprising an initial light intensity measurement by the photo detector and a subsequent light intensity measurement by the photo detector;
- determine one or more light intensity change based upon the sequence of detection cycles;
- and
- responsive to a threshold number of light intensity changes exceeding a detection threshold during the sequence of detection cycles, provide a waste detection alert that a waste object exists within a waste detection zone, otherwise, refrain from providing the waste detection alert.
A system for waste object detection, comprising:
- a photo detector configured to measure light intensity of light impinging on the photo detector;
- and
- a waste identification component configured to:
- determine a light intensity change based upon an initial light intensity measurement by the photo detector and a subsequent light intensity measurement by the photo detector, the subsequent light intensity measurement corresponding to visible light fluoresced from a waste object based upon ultraviolet light;
- and
- responsive to the light intensity change exceeding a detection threshold, provide a waste detection alert that the waste object exists within a waste detection zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.