Ultraviolet Waste Detection via Fluorescence
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively detect waste objects, such as paper towels or toilet paper, on bathroom floors or near trashcans, leading to unsightly conditions and user complaints before routine maintenance is scheduled.
Innovation Solution
A waste detection system using an ultraviolet light source to emit light towards a detection zone, with a light detection component measuring light intensity changes, and a waste identification component determining the presence of waste objects by comparing initial and active light intensity measurements to a calibrated threshold, providing alerts through various communication methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an ultraviolet light source is used to detect waste objects through fluorescence, then the detection accuracy is improved, but false positives from ambient light interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulsed ultraviolet light illumination instead of continuous illumination. The UV light source emits light in periodic pulses, and the detection system synchronizes its measurements with these pulses. This periodic action allows the system to distinguish between fluorescence signals (which occur only during UV pulses) and ambient light (which is continuous), thereby reducing false positives while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the detection threshold is dynamically adjusted based on ambient light conditions. The control system monitors the fluorescence signal strength and compares it against adaptively set thresholds, allowing the system to maintain reliable operation across varying environmental conditions while minimizing false positives.
2Speed
If the ultraviolet light source continuously illuminates the detection zone, then the detection speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultraviolet light source operates in periodic pulsed mode rather than continuous illumination. Short pulses of UV light are emitted at intervals sufficient to detect waste objects while consuming significantly less energy than continuous operation. The pulsed duration and frequency are optimized to maintain detection speed requirements while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection using brief UV pulses before triggering full alert sequences. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly screen for waste presence with minimal energy expenditure, only activating more intensive detection or notification modes when actual waste is detected.
3Reliability
If multiple light intensity measurements are taken to reduce false positives, then the reliability is improved, but the response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes multiple light intensity measurements synchronized with periodic UV pulses. By coordinating measurements with the pulsed illumination cycle, the system can accumulate multiple data points rapidly without extending the overall detection window. This allows reliable discrimination of true waste signals from noise while maintaining fast response times.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection process maintains continuous monitoring capability through overlapping measurement windows and rapid sequential sampling. While multiple measurements are taken, the system continuously processes data streams and can trigger alerts as soon as sufficient evidence accumulates, rather than waiting for a fixed number of measurements, thus reducing effective response time.
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
The system accurately detects waste objects by distinguishing light intensity changes caused by fluorescing waste from ambient light, reducing false positives and ensuring timely maintenance, thereby maintaining cleanliness and user satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
a waste alert component may detect the presence of a waste object, such as a paper towel on a bathroom floor, based upon visible light fluoresced by the waste object in response to ultraviolet light
Data Source
AI summary
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for waste object detection. For example, a waste alert component is configured to emit ultraviolet light towards a waste detection zone, such as a bathroom floor or countertop. If a waste object, such as a paper towel or other object with a fluoresce property, exists within the waste detection zone, then the waste alert component may detect an increase in light due to the waste object fluorescing visible light in response to the ultraviolet light. If the increase in light intensity exceeds a detection threshold, then the waste alert component may provide a waste detection alert that the waste object exists within the waste detection zone (e.g., a message may be sent to a housekeeper that paper towel waste in on the bathroom countertop).