TECHNIQUES FOR OPTIMALLY SENSING FULL CONTAINERS

• US 20170363769A1
• Filed: 05/26/2017
• Published: 12/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Waste Harmonics, LLC (Arcapita Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: OnePlus Co., Ltd. (Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corporation Limited)
• Inventors: Devitt, Seamus, Walsh, Brendan
• Granted Patent: US 10,451,768 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/02 without removable inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/16 Lids or covers B65F1/1421 takes precedence; pedal or hand-lever operated for containers in general B65D
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1443 Electrical
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/168 Sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/12 using one transmitter and one receiver
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence

Abstract

A series of techniques incorporated in two sensing methods that enable fullness detection whilst minimizing the current consumption of the battery operated wireless electronic circuitry that implements the detection.

Claims

1. A system for optimally sensing full containers, comprising:

A container capable of containing waste material and having side walls and a openable lid,

An IR emitter module secured within the container and an IR receiver module secured within the container such that a straight line between the modules is substantially horizontal and such line represents a full container,

A rechargeable battery operably connected to the modules,

Wherein the IR modules are programmed to emit and receive a wake-up signal and coded signals, and

Wherein each IR receiver modules is operable to automatically be placed into a power saving mode and removed from said power saving mode by receipt of a wake-up signal emitted by the IR emitter module, and

Wherein the level of fullness of the container is determined by receipt or non-receipt of a coded signal by the IR receiving module substantially upon waking up.