Automatic level sensing system
First Claim
1. A level sensing system comprising:
- ultrasonic sound wave trasducer means for emitting ultrasonic sound waves and for receiving ultrasonic sound waves reflected from a receptacle whose content level is to be sensed;
a content level detector, responsive to said reflected ultrasonic sound waves, for detecting the level of the contents of the receptacle;
a rim detector, responsive to said reflected ultrasonic sound waves, for determining the location of the rim of the receptacle; and
a level comparator, responsive to said rim detector and said content level detector, for comparing the contents level with the rim location for indicating when the contents level is within a predetermined distance of the rim.
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Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A level sensing system including ultrasonic sound wave transducer means for emitting ultrasonic sound waves and for receiving ultrasonic sound waves reflected from a receptacle whose content level is to be sensed; a content level detector, responsive to the reflected ultrasonic sound waves, for determining the level of the contents of the receptacle; a rim detector, responsive to the reflected ultrasonic sound waves, for determining the location of the rim of the receptacle; and a level comparator, responsive to the rim detector and the content level detector, for comparing the content level with the rim location for indicating when the content level and the rim location are a predetermined distance apart.
157 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A level sensing system comprising:
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ultrasonic sound wave trasducer means for emitting ultrasonic sound waves and for receiving ultrasonic sound waves reflected from a receptacle whose content level is to be sensed; a content level detector, responsive to said reflected ultrasonic sound waves, for detecting the level of the contents of the receptacle; a rim detector, responsive to said reflected ultrasonic sound waves, for determining the location of the rim of the receptacle; and a level comparator, responsive to said rim detector and said content level detector, for comparing the contents level with the rim location for indicating when the contents level is within a predetermined distance of the rim. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A level sensing system comprising:
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ultrasonic sound wave transducer means for emitting ultrasonic sound waves and for receiving ultrasonic sound waves reflected from a receptacle whose content level is to be sensed; a content level detector, responsive to said reflected ultrasonic sound waves, for detecting the level of the contents of the receptacle; a rim detector, responsive to said reflected ultrasonic sound waves, for determining the location of the rim of the receptacle; and a flow valve for controlling the level of the contents of the receptacle; a receptacle detector, responsive to said rim detector, for actuating said flow valve when a receptacle is present; and a level comparator, responsive to said rim detector and said contents level detector, for comparing the contents level with the rim location for de-activating said flow valve when the contents are within a predetermined distance of the rim.
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18. A dispenser system comprising:
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ultrasonic sound wave transducer means for emitting ultrasonic sound waves and for receiving ultrasonic sound waves reflected from a receptacle to be filled; a fill level detector, responsive to said reflected ultrasonic sound waves, for determining the fill level of the receptacle; a rim detector, responsive to said reflected ultrasonic sound waves, for detecting the location of the rim of the receptacle; a flow valve for filling the receptacle; a receptacle detector, responsive to said rim detector, for opening said flow valve when a receptacle is present; a level comparator, responsive to said rim detector and said fill level detector, for comparing the fill level with the rim location for closing said flow valve when the receptacle is filled to within a predetermined distance of the rim location. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification