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US 12,753,593 B2Granted
Apparatus with acoustically controlled flow range, system comprising such an apparatus and method
AssigneeFraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
InventorsJens-Ekkehart Appell, Thomas Sporer
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a flow range configured to let a fluid having a flow characteristic flow. The apparatus includes actuator means configured to change the flow characteristic of the flow range and further includes acoustic sensor means configured to receive an acoustic signal and to output a sensor signal based on the acoustic signal. The apparatus includes an analysis means configured to analyze the sensor signal to obtain an analysis result. The apparatus is configured to control the actuator means based on the analysis result for changing the flow characteristic.
Claims22
Apparatus, comprising:
- a flow range configured to let a fluid comprising a fluid characteristic flow;
- an actuator configured to change the flow characteristic of the flow range;
- an acoustic sensor configured to receive an acoustic signal and to output a sensor signal based on the acoustic signal;
- an analyzer configured to analyze the sensor signal to acquire an analysis result;
- wherein the apparatus is configured to control the actuator based on the analysis result for changing the flow characteristic;
- wherein the analyzer is configured to analyze the sensor signal continuously or repeatedly over time for a sensor signal characteristic during a flow of the fluid, wherein an increasing filling level of a container filled with fluid correlates with a change of the sensor signal characteristic, wherein the apparatus is configured to control the actuator to stop a flow of the fluid and to prevent overflow of the container based on reaching a predetermined sensor signal characteristic or a predetermined change of the sensor signal characteristic and/or
- wherein the analyzer is configured to analyze the sensor signal for a sensor signal characteristic of a transient event and to make a comparison with a plurality of predetermined sensor signal characteristics to acquire the analysis result, wherein the apparatus is configured to control the actuator based on a similarity with one of the plurality of predetermined sensor signal characteristics;
- wherein a different control of the actuator is allocated to each of the plurality of sensor signal characteristics.
5 more elements
System, comprising:
- an apparatus formed as tap, comprising
- a flow range configured to let water comprising a fluid characteristic flow;
- an actuator configured to change the flow characteristic of the flow range;
- an acoustic sensor configured to receive an acoustic signal and to output a sensor signal based on the acoustic signal;
- an analyzer configured to analyze the sensor signal to acquire an analysis result;
- wherein the apparatus is configured to control the actuator based on the analysis result for changing the flow characteristic;
- a wash basin as collecting area for the water;
- wherein the acoustic signal is based on a putting-down sound in the collecting area and/or an object-related knocking sound at or in the collecting area;
- wherein the apparatus is configured to control the actuator differently based on different locations of origin of the acoustic signal and/or patterns in the acoustic signal.
6 more elements
Method, comprising:
- analyzing a sound in an area or structure of a collecting area for a fluid to acquire an analysis result;
- controlling the flow of the fluid through a flow range based on the analysis result;
- such that the sensor signal is analyzed continuously or repeatedly over time for a sensor signal characteristic during a flow of the fluid, such that an increasing filling level of a container filled with fluid correlates with a change of the sensor signal characteristic, such that based on reaching a predetermined sensor signal characteristic or a predetermined change of the sensor signal characteristic the actuator is controlled to stop a flow of the fluid and to prevent overflow of the container and/or
- such that the sensor signal is analyzed for a sensor signal characteristic of a transient event and a comparison with a plurality of predetermined sensor signal characteristics is made to acquire the analysis result, such that the actuator is controlled based on a similarity with one of the plurality of predetermined sensor signal characteristics;
- such that a different control of the actuator is allocated to each of the plurality of sensor signal characteristics.
2 more elements
A non-transitory digital storage medium having a computer program stored thereon to perform the method comprising:
- analyzing a sound in an area or structure of a collecting area for a fluid to acquire an analysis result;
- controlling the flow of the fluid through a flow range based on the analysis result;
- such that the sensor signal is analyzed continuously or repeatedly over time for a sensor signal characteristic during a flow of the fluid, such that an increasing filling level of a container filled with fluid correlates with a change of the sensor signal characteristic, such that based on reaching a predetermined sensor signal characteristic or a predetermined change of the sensor signal characteristic the actuator is controlled to stop a flow of the fluid and to prevent overflow of the container and/or
- such that the sensor signal is analyzed for a sensor signal characteristic of a transient event and a comparison with a plurality of predetermined sensor signal characteristics is made to acquire the analysis result, such that the actuator is controlled based on a similarity with one of the plurality of predetermined sensor signal characteristics;
- such that a different control of the actuator is allocated to each of the plurality of sensor signal characteristics,
- when said computer program is run by a computer.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.