Dye detection method and apparatus
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for detecting the presence of a color dye in a water sample, comprising:
- a) a light source to generate a light that passes through the water sample;
b) a color sensor that includes a first color output and a second color output to measure the light that has passed through the water sample by generating at least a first color signal and a second color signal based on the received light; and
c) a dye detection mechanism coupled to the color sensor to receive the color signals and to determine whether the dye color is present in the water sample based on the color signals;
wherein the dye detection mechanism during a wash periodically determines a measured ratio between the first color signal and the second color signal, compares the measured ratio with a baseline ratio, and determines that dye color is present in the water sample when the measured ratio changes from the baseline ratio.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a color dye in a water sample are described. Light is generated and passed through a water sample. A color sensor is utilized to measure the light that passes through the water sample. Based on the measured light, it is determined whether a dye color is present in the water sample.
23 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting the presence of a color dye in a water sample, comprising:
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a) a light source to generate a light that passes through the water sample; b) a color sensor that includes a first color output and a second color output to measure the light that has passed through the water sample by generating at least a first color signal and a second color signal based on the received light; and c) a dye detection mechanism coupled to the color sensor to receive the color signals and to determine whether the dye color is present in the water sample based on the color signals;
wherein the dye detection mechanism during a wash periodically determines a measured ratio between the first color signal and the second color signal, compares the measured ratio with a baseline ratio, and determines that dye color is present in the water sample when the measured ratio changes from the baseline ratio. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A washing machine, comprising:
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a wash chamber; and a color dye detection system used to detect the presence of a color dye in a water sample collected from the wash chamber, further comprising; a) a light source to generate a light that passes through the water sample; b) a color sensor to measure the light that has passed through the water sample by generating at least a first color signal and second color signal based on the received light; and c) a dye detection mechanism coupled to the color sensor to receive the color signals and to determine whether the dye color is present in the water sample based on the color signals;
wherein the dye detection mechanism during the wash periodically determines a measured ratio between the first color signal and the second color signal, compares the measured ratio with a baseline ratio, and determines that dye color is present in the water sample when the measured ratio changes from the baseline ratio. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for detecting the presence of a color dye in a water sample comprising:
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a) generating a light that passes through the water sample; b) employing a color sensor to measure the light that has passed through the water sample; and c) determining whether a dye color is present in the water sample based on the measured light;
wherein determining whether a dye color is present in the water sample based on the measured light includes during the wash periodically determining a measured ratio between the first color signal and the second color signal, comparing the measured ratio with a baseline ratio, and determining that dye color is present in the water sample when the measured ratio changes from the baseline ratio. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification