Gesture based touchless lavatory waste flap actuation

Abstract

A method is disclosed herein. The method includes sending a first signal to a first emitter in an aircraft lavatory to activate the first emitter, the first emitter illuminating an object with infrared light, receiving a second signal from a first sensor in the aircraft lavatory, the second signal providing an indication of motion of the object based on a first reflection from the object, receiving a third signal from a second sensor in the aircraft lavatory, the third signal providing an indication of motion of the object based on a second reflection from the object, determining that the object is moving in a vertical direction based on the second signal and the third signal, and activating an actuator in response to the determining that the object is moving in the vertical direction, the actuator coupled to a waste bin flap that opens into a wall of the aircraft lavatory.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.