Infrared Time-of-Flight Sensing for Precise Dispenser Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touchless object detection systems face challenges in accurately determining the proximity of objects with different colors and transparency levels, and often have limited detection ranges, making them unsuitable for close proximity applications like beverage or ice dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an infrared emitter and receiver that calculates object distance based on the time it takes for emitted light to travel to and reflect off an object, rather than relying on the intensity of the reflected light, allowing for accurate proximity detection regardless of object color or transparency, and includes a control module to activate or deactivate equipment based on predetermined thresholds with hysteresis for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If object detection is based on intensity of reflected light, then detection simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to dependency on object color and transparency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from light intensity to time of flight. By measuring the time it takes for infrared light to travel to the object and reflect back, the system eliminates dependency on object properties like color and transparency, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining detection simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical intensity-based detection mechanism with a temporal measurement mechanism. Instead of measuring how much light is reflected, the system measures the time duration of light travel, substituting a temporal measurement approach for an optical intensity approach
2Length of stationary object
If ultra-sonic distance sensors are used, then detection range is improved, but ability to detect close proximity objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultra-sonic sensing with infrared optical sensing. Infrared light has much shorter wavelength and can detect objects at very close proximity, while still maintaining adequate detection range for the dispensing application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection medium from acoustic waves (ultra-sonic) to electromagnetic waves (infrared light). This parameter change enables detection at closer distances while maintaining sufficient detection range for the application
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and reliable detection of objects' proximity across various colors and transparency levels, improving the precision of equipment control, such as dispensing liquids or ice, by eliminating the dependency on light intensity and ensuring proper activation and deactivation of dispensing apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared emitter that emits infrared light and an infrared receiver that detects the infrared light emitted by the infrared emitter and reflected off of a container
Implementation Method 2
The sensor module determines a time period between emission of the infrared light by the infrared emitter and detection of the infrared light by the infrared receiver and determining a distance to the container based on the determined time period
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided and include a sensor module and a control module for a dispenser. The sensor module has an infrared emitter that emits infrared light and an infrared receiver that detects the infrared light emitted by the infrared emitter and reflected off of a container. The sensor module determines a time period between emission of the infrared light by the infrared emitter and detection of the infrared light by the infrared receiver and determines a distance to the container based on the determined time period. The control module is configured to receive the determined distance from the sensor module, activate the dispenser when the determined distance to the container is less than the predetermined threshold, and deactivate the dispenser when the determined distance to the container is greater than the predetermined threshold.