Object detection for equipment control
US10053354B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2016 |
| Grant date | Aug 21, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2700/06
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and method are provided and include a sensor module and a control module for a dispenser. The sensor module has an infrared emitter that emits infrared light and an infrared receiver that detects the infrared light emitted by the infrared emitter and reflected off of a container. The sensor module determines a time period between emission of the infrared light by the infrared emitter and detection of the infrared light by the infrared receiver and determines a distance to the container based on the determined time period. The control module is configured to receive the determined distance from the sensor module, activate the dispenser when the determined distance to the container is less than the predetermined threshold, and deactivate the dispenser when the determined distance to the container is greater than the predetermined threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.