Detection of objects or other materials in a receptacle

• US 8,150,656 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2010
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel L. Kunkel
• Original Assignee: ANS, Inc. (SNU Precision Co., Ltd)
• Inventors: Kunkel, Daniel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wachsman, Hal
• Application Number:
  US12/873,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20110029285A1
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 702/188, 702/28, 702/40, 702/127
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

Sensors and techniques for an automated data acquisition and notification system having a plurality of receptacles adapted to store items. In each of the plurality of receptacles, at least one sensor is operated to detect a presence of an item in that receptacle. Light is emitted from a planar surface within the receptacle to a space within the receptacle opposite the planar surface. While that light is emitted light incident on the planar surface is detected. A determination is made whether an amount of light that is detected is significant to indicate a presence of the item.

Claims

1. A method for operating an automated data acquisition and notification system that includes a plurality of receptacles adapted to store items, the method comprising:

in each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles, operating at least one sensor of the data acquisition system to detect a presence of an item in that receptacle, the at least one sensor comprising a light emitter and light detector, the operating of the at least one sensor including;

(a) emitting light from the light emitter on a planar surface within the receptacle to a space within the receptacle opposite the planar surface;

(b) while emitting the light in (a), detecting light incident on the planar surface using the light detector and absorbing substantially all of the light incident on an interior surface of the receptacle; and

(c) determining a presence of the item based on an amount of light that is detected in (b).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the emitting, detecting, and determining in (a)-(c) are applied to ascertain whether a mail item is present in at least one of the receptacles.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein emitting the light in (a) includes energizing a light-emitting diode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the light includes detecting light by a plurality of distinct sensors.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

analyzing multiple overlapping detections by the plurality of distinct sensors to validate a positive detection.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein detecting light by a plurality of distinct sensors includes detecting light incident on a plurality of planes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a presence of the item in (c) includes aggregating data representing detections at the at least one sensor and performing a statistical computation at the at least one sensor based on the aggregated data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a presence of the item in (c) includes validating a detection based on multiple overlapping events.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a presence of the item in (c) includes dynamically adjusting decision criteria for the detecting of light incident on the planar surface.

10. A method for operating an automated data acquisition and notification system that includes a plurality of receptacles adapted to store items, the method comprising:

in each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles, operating a plurality of distinct sensors of the data acquisition and notification system to detect a presence of an item in that receptacle, each sensor of the plurality of distinct sensors comprising a light emitter and a light detector, the operating of the plurality of sensors including, for each sensor;

(a) emitting light from a first planar surface to a space within the receptacle opposite the first planar surface;

(b) while emitting the light in (a), detecting light incident on the first planar surface; and

(c) determining a presence of the item based on detected light incident on the first planar surface in (b); and

analyzing multiple overlapping detections by the plurality of distinct sensors to validate a positive detection.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the emitting, detecting, and determining in (a)-(c) are applied to ascertain whether a mail item is present in at least one of the receptacles.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein emitting the light in (a) includes energizing a light-emitting diode and wherein detecting the light in (b) includes measuring an output of a at least one photovoltaic cell.