Surface type detection
US12013371B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jun 18, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47L2201/06
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A robotic cleaning appliance includes a sonic transducer and a processor coupled with a housing. The sonic transducer transmits sonic signals toward a surface within its ringdown distance and receives corresponding returned signals. Following cessation of the sonic signals, the processor samples the ringdown signal generated by the sonic transducer during an early portion before the corresponding returned signals have reflected back to the sonic transducer, and during a later portion which includes the corresponding returned signals. The processor utilizes the sampled early portion to estimate a void ringdown signal of which represents performance of the sonic transducer in absence of returned signals being received. The processor compares the estimated void ringdown signal to the later portion of the ringdown signal and generates a metric based on the comparison. The processor utilizes the metric to determine a type of the surface, out of a plurality of surface types.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.