CN106546203B - Container with multiple sensors - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a trash can assembly, which may include: a body portion; a cover portion pivotably coupled with the body portion; and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within the sensing region. The sensor assembly may include a plurality of emitters having a first subset of emitters and a second subset of emitters. The emission axis of at least one emitter in the first subset of emitters may be different from the emission axis of at least one emitter in the second subset of emitters. The electronic processor can generate an electronic signal for moving the lid portion from the closed position to the open position to electrically operate the drive mechanism, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting a target.

Description

Container with multiple sensors

Cross-referencing

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application No. 14/856,309 entitled "DUAL sensing container (DUAL SENSING RECEPTACLE)" filed on 16.9.2015 and claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/304,076 entitled "DUAL sensing container" filed on 4.3.2016. In some aspects, the present application is directed to U.S. patent application No. 14/639,862 entitled "dual sensing vessel" filed 3/5/2015, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/953,402 entitled "dual sensing vessel" filed 3/14/2014. The entire disclosure of each of the above applications is considered a part of that application and is incorporated by reference into the present application in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to container assemblies, and in particular to trash can assemblies having electrically operated lids.

Background

Containers with lids are used in a variety of different environments. For example, in both residential and commercial environments, trash cans often have lids that prevent the contents or odors from spilling out of the trash can. In recent years, trash cans with electrically operated lids have been commercialized. Such a bin may include a sensor that triggers the opening of the bin lid.

Disclosure of Invention

In a sensor activated container, it may be difficult to calibrate the sensor to trigger lid movement only when the user intends to open the lid. If the sensor is too sensitive, the sensor may trigger the cover to move almost every time a person walks by the container. Such accidental cover movement will quickly deplete the power source and/or wear components (e.g., motors) due to excessive use. Furthermore, if the sensor is not suitable, accidental or unintentional cover movement may occur due to a stationary or static object (e.g., a piece of furniture) that triggers the sensor. However, if the sensor is calibrated to be less sensitive, it may be difficult to trigger the cover movement.

According to some embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a sensor area (e.g., above the front of the lid) that is the primary location for driving the lid of the trash can assembly, e.g., a user may rest one hand or hold a trash item within a certain vertical distance of the sensor, and the trash can assembly will detect the target and automatically open the lid in response. After the lid has been opened, it may be left open for a short period of time and then closed. In some embodiments, when movement is sensed over the front of the lid, even further (within a greater specified vertical distance) than that required to initially release the lid, the trash can assembly is configured to hold the lid open for a longer period of time.

Some embodiments have a generally vertical and generally horizontal sensing region, however, detecting an object in the generally horizontal sensing region alone may not accurately indicate when the lid should be opened. For example, people often walk around the trash (e.g., along the front thereof) without the intent of throwing away the trash, in which case opening of the lid would be undesirable. In some embodiments, the trash can component is configured to recognize this and/or to open the lid not just because someone has walked through. For example, the trash can assembly can be configured such that detection of an object in the horizontal sensing area will not typically cause the lid to open without first, simultaneously, or shortly after detection of an object in the vertical sensing area.

When a person walks in front of the trash can, the person's hands or a portion of their clothing may pass over the trash can, which may be detected in the vertical sensing area, and thus may inadvertently trigger the lid. Some embodiments are configured to avoid such a result by monitoring the horizontal sensing area to see if someone is walking over (and not stopping), in which case object detection in the vertical sensing area can be ignored.

After an object has been detected in the vertical sensing region, the horizontal sensing region may be monitored to maintain the lid open for a period of time and/or to maintain the lid open until conditions are met. For example, the lid may remain open as long as the trash can assembly senses that a person is standing near (e.g., in front of) the trash can assembly even if the person's hand is not hovering over the lid area. This may occur, for example, if someone is getting more trash or sorting items (e.g., letters (mail)) across the countertop to determine which items to discard to the trash can assembly.

Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a trash can assembly including a body portion and a lid portion. The cover portion may be pivotally coupled with the body portion. The trash can assembly can include a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly may be coupled to the body portion. The sensor assembly may have a first transmitter, a second transmitter, and/or one or more receivers. The emission axis of the first emitter may be substantially perpendicular to the emission axis of the second emitter.

The sensor assembly may include a controller that may have one or more hardware processors. The controller may be configured to perform various actions. For example, the controller may be configured to command the first transmitter to transmit the first signal. The controller may be configured to receive, from the one or more receivers, a first indication that the target is detected in the first area. After the first indication is received, the controller may be configured to determine whether a second indication has been received from the one or more receivers in response to transmitting a second signal by the second transmitter. The controller may be configured to transmit instructions to the electrically operated drive mechanism, such as in response to receiving at least a first indication. The instructions may cause the electrically operated drive mechanism to move the lid portion from the closed position to the open position.

Any of the trash can assembly features or structures disclosed in this specification can be included in any of the embodiments. In a particular embodiment, the controller is configured to receive the second indication from the receiver. The second indication may indicate that the target or another target is detected in the first area or the second area. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to transmit another instruction to the electrically operated drive mechanism, such as in response to the second instruction not being received after a predetermined period of time. Another instruction may cause the electrically operated drive mechanism to move the lid portion from the open position to the closed position. The controller may be configured to command the second transmitter to stop transmitting the second signal in response to the second indication not being received after a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to command the second transmitter to not transmit any signal until the first indication is received. In other implementations, the controller is configured to command the second transmitter to transmit the second signal before the first indication is received. In some variations, the first emitter has an emission axis extending substantially vertically and/or the second emitter has an emission axis extending substantially horizontally. The first region may be a region extending substantially perpendicularly from the upper surface of the sensor assembly. The second region may be a region extending substantially horizontally from a side surface of the sensor assembly. The receiver may be configured to transmit the first indication in response to receiving a reflection of the first signal. In some embodiments, in the first state, the first region comprises a ready-mode region. In a particular embodiment, in the second state, the first region comprises a hyper-mode region. The super mode region may extend beyond the ready mode region. The receiver may be configured to transmit the first indication, such as in response to detecting the target in the ready-mode region. In some embodiments, the second region forms a beam angle of at least about 60 °. The beam angle may be measured from a periphery of the second region to a central axis of the second region. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly may include a third emitter and a fourth emitter. The controller may be configured to command the second transmitter to transmit the second signal, command the third transmitter to transmit the third signal, and command the fourth transmitter to transmit the fourth signal in response to receiving the first indication.

Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a computer-implemented method for determining a position of a lid portion of a trash can assembly. The method may include generating a first command instructing a first transmitter of the sensor assembly to transmit a first signal. The trash can assembly can include a sensor assembly. The method may include receiving, from one or more receivers of the sensor assembly, a first indication that the object is detected in the first region. The method may include determining, after the first indication is received, whether a second indication has been received from one or more receivers in response to transmitting a second signal by a second transmitter of the sensor assembly. The emission axis of the first emitter may be substantially vertical and the emission axis of the second emitter may be substantially horizontal. The method may include generating a second command commanding the electrically operated drive mechanism in response to receiving at least the first indication. The second command may cause the electrically operated drive mechanism to move the lid portion from the closed position to the open position. The method may be performed under control of program instructions executed by one or more computing devices.

In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a second indication from the receiver. The second indication may indicate whether the target or another target is detected in the first area or the second area. The method may include generating a third command commanding the electrically operated drive mechanism to move the lid portion from the open position to the closed position in response to a second indication indicating that the target or another target is detected in the first region or the second region. The method may include generating a fourth command instructing the second transmitter to stop transmitting the second signal in response to a second indication indicating that the target or another target is detected in the first area or the second area. In some embodiments, the method may include commanding the second transmitter to not transmit any signals before the first indication is received. In other embodiments, the method may include commanding the second transmitter to transmit the second signal before the first indication is received. In some embodiments, the first region may be a region extending generally upward from the upper surface of the sensor assembly. In a particular embodiment, the second region is a region extending generally outwardly from a side surface of the sensor assembly. In some embodiments, the first region includes a ready-mode region and a hyper-mode region extending beyond the ready-mode region. The method may include receiving a first indication in response to detecting a target in a ready mode region. In some embodiments, the second region forms a beam angle of at least about 60 °. The beam angle may be measured from a periphery of the second region to a central axis of the second region.

Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a trash can assembly that includes a body including a top end, a bottom end, a sidewall, and an inner cavity. The trash can assembly may include a cover unit coupled with a top end of the main body. The cover unit includes a cover and a motor. A motor is configured to move the lid between the open position and the closed position. The trash can assembly can include a sensor assembly including a first sensor configured to emit a first signal substantially vertically to generate a first sensing region. The sensor assembly may include a second sensor configured to emit a second signal substantially horizontally to produce a second sensing region. The sensor assembly may include a receiver configured to receive the one or more reflected signals. The reflected signal includes a first signal or a second signal reflected off of a target in the first or second sensing region. The sensor assembly may include a lens cover positioned over the first sensor, the second sensor, and the receiver. The trash can assembly can include a controller operatively connected to the sensor assembly and the motor. The trashcan assembly can be configured such that the trashcan assembly moves the lid from the closed position to the open position in response to the receiver receiving the one or more reflected signals. The trash can assembly can be configured to detect the presence of contaminants on the lens cover.

In some embodiments, the trash can assembly can be configured to detect the presence of contaminants on the lens cover by determining whether a close measurement to the detected target is less than a threshold distance. The threshold distance may be less than about 0.5 inches.

Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a trash can assembly, comprising: a body portion; a cover portion pivotably coupled with the body portion; a microphone coupled to the body portion; and a sensor assembly coupled to the body portion. The microphone may be configured to receive speech and convert the speech into an audio signal.

The sensor assembly may include a controller, which may have one or more hardware processors and memory. The controller may be configured to perform various actions. For example, the controller may be configured to receive an audio signal from a microphone. The controller may be configured to perform speech recognition on the audio signal to determine spoken keywords. The controller may be configured to retrieve the stored key from the memory. The controller may be configured to compare the stored keyword with the spoken keyword. The controller may be configured to transmit instructions to the electrically-operated drive mechanism in response to a determination that the stored keyword matches the spoken keyword. The instructions may cause the electrically operated drive mechanism to move the lid portion from the closed position to the open position.

Any of the trash can assembly features or structures disclosed in this specification can be included in any of the embodiments. In a particular embodiment, the sensor assembly further includes a first transmitter, a second transmitter, and a receiver. The emission axis of the first emitter may be substantially perpendicular to the emission axis of the second emitter. In some implementations, the controller may be configured to command the first transmitter to transmit a first signal, receive a first indication from the receiver that a target is not detected in the first area, and transmit a second instruction to the electrically-operated drive mechanism in response to receiving the first indication. The second instruction may cause the electrically operated drive mechanism to move the lid portion from the open position to the closed position. In a particular embodiment, the controller may be configured to command the first transmitter to transmit a first signal, receive a first indication from the receiver that a target is detected in the first area, and generate a second instruction that causes the electrically-operated drive mechanism to move the lid portion from the closed position to the open position. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to retrieve the stored second key from the memory, compare the stored second key to the spoken key, and transmit a third instruction to the electrically-operated drive mechanism instead of the second instruction in response to a determination that the stored second key matches the spoken key. The third instruction may cause the electrically operated drive mechanism to move the lid portion from the open position to the closed position. In some implementations, the trashcan assembly further includes a light sensor coupled to the body portion. The light sensor may be configured to detect a first lux level of the ambient light at a first time before the first indication is received and a second lux level of the ambient light at a second time after the first indication is received. The second lux level may be greater than the first lux level. In certain embodiments, the controller may be configured to not transmit the second instruction to the electrically operated drive mechanism in response to a determination that the second lux level is greater than the first lux level by a threshold value. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to receive the stored keywords from the user device over the wireless network.

Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a trash can assembly, comprising: a body portion; a cover portion pivotably coupled with the body portion; an electrically operated drive mechanism coupled with the body portion; and a sensor assembly coupled to the body portion. The electrically operated drive mechanism may include a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, and an adapter coupled to the shaft and the cover portion.

The sensor assembly may include a controller, which may have one or more hardware processors. The controller may be configured to perform various actions. For example, the controller may be configured to detect a target in the first region. The controller may be configured to transmit a command to the electrically operated drive mechanism in response to detection of the target, wherein the command causes the electrically operated drive mechanism to move the lid portion from the closed position to the open position.

Any of the trash can assembly features or structures disclosed in this specification can be included in any of the embodiments. In certain embodiments, the electrically operated drive mechanism may further comprise a position sensor coupled to the shaft. Rotation of the shaft may cause a voltage output by the position sensor to vary. In some implementations, the controller may be further configured to transmit a second instruction to the electrically operated drive mechanism to stop operation in response to a determination that the voltage output by the position sensor is a threshold. In some embodiments, the position sensor may comprise a potentiometer. In a particular embodiment, the controller may be further configured to determine the position of the cover portion using the voltage output by the position sensor. In some implementations, the controller can be further configured to determine the position of the cover portion using the voltage output by the position sensor even if the target blocks movement of the cover portion by the electrically operated drive mechanism.

Any feature, structure, or step disclosed herein may be replaced by, combined with, or omitted from any other feature, structure, or step disclosed herein. Moreover, for purposes of summarizing the present disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that any or all of these advantages are not necessarily achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention disclosed herein. No individual aspect of the disclosure is required or essential.

Drawings

Various embodiments are depicted in the drawings for purposes of illustration, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the embodiments in any way. Furthermore, various features of different embodiments disclosed may be combined to form additional embodiments that are part of this disclosure.

Fig. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an embodiment of a container assembly.

Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the container assembly shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the container assembly shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 illustrates a rear view of the container assembly shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 illustrates a partially exploded rear perspective view of the container assembly shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 6 illustrates a top view of the container shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 7A illustrates the rim ring (trim ring) portion of the container of fig. 1.

FIG. 7B illustrates the edge ring portion of FIG. 7A with the outer edge cover removed.

Fig. 8A illustrates a sensor assembly of the container of fig. 1.

FIG. 8B illustrates the sensor assembly of FIG. 8A with the outer cover removed.

Fig. 9A illustrates an upward sensing range of the container assembly shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 9B illustrates an outward sensing range of the container assembly shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 9C illustrates a side view of the first example of the sensing range shown in fig. 9A and 9B.

Fig. 9D illustrates a side view of the second example of the sensing range shown in fig. 9A and 9B.

Fig. 10A illustrates a top perspective view of the lid portion of the container assembly shown in fig. 1.

FIG. 10B illustrates a bottom front perspective view of the lid portion shown in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C illustrates a bottom rear perspective view of the lid portion shown in FIG. 10A.

Fig. 11A illustrates an enlarged rear perspective view of the container assembly shown in fig. 1 with the rear cover removed to show the drive mechanism.

FIG. 11B illustrates an enlarged view of the drive mechanism shown in FIG. 11A

FIG. 11C illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the edge ring portion shown in FIG. 11B taken along line 11C-11C.

Fig. 12 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the drive mechanism of fig. 11A.

Fig. 13 schematically illustrates a method of adapting the sensing threshold of the container assembly shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 14 schematically illustrates a method of controlling the position of the lid portion of the container assembly of fig. 1.

Fig. 15 schematically illustrates another method of controlling the position of the lid portion of the container assembly of fig. 1.

Fig. 16A-16C illustrate enlarged rear perspective views of another embodiment of the container assembly shown in fig. 1 with the rear cover removed to show the drive mechanism.

Fig. 17A illustrates an enlarged rear perspective view of the adapter and potentiometer shown in fig. 16A-16C.

Fig. 17B illustrates an enlarged rear top perspective view of the adapter and potentiometer shown in fig. 16A-16C.

Fig. 17C illustrates an enlarged rear bottom perspective view of the adapter and potentiometer shown in fig. 16A-16C.

Fig. 17D illustrates an enlarged side perspective view of the potentiometer shown in fig. 16A-16C.

Fig. 17E illustrates an enlarged side perspective view of the adapter shown in fig. 16A-16C.

Fig. 18A illustrates a rear top perspective view of the container assembly shown in fig. 1.

18B-18C illustrate rear perspective views of the container assembly shown in FIG. 1 with the back cover removed to show the spring.

Fig. 19 schematically illustrates another method of controlling the position of the lid portion of the container assembly of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments of a system for opening and closing a lid or door of a container or other device, such as a trash can, are disclosed in the context of trash cans. As is particularly practical in this context, the present disclosure describes particular embodiments in the context of trash cans. However, the subject matter of the present disclosure may also be used in many other contexts including, for example, commercial trash cans, doors, windows, security doors and other larger doors or covers, as well as doors or covers for smaller devices such as high precision balances, computer drives, and the like. Embodiments and/or components thereof may be implemented in electrically or manually operated systems.

It is also noted that the examples may be described as a process, such as by using a flowchart, a flow diagram, a finite state diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although these examples may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently and the process can be repeated. Additionally, the order of the operations may be different from that shown or described in this description. When its operations are completed, the process is terminated. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a software function, its termination may correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function. Any step of the process may be performed alone or in combination with any other step of any other process.

SUMMARY

As shown in fig. 1-6, the trash can assembly 20 can include a body portion 22 and a cover portion 24 pivotally attached to the body portion 22. The trash can assembly 20 can rest on the floor and can have different heights and widths depending on, among other things, consumer needs, cost, and ease of manufacture.

The trash can assembly 20 can house a bag liner (not shown) that can be at least partially retained within the body portion 22. For example, the upper peripheral edge 26 of the body portion 22 may support the upper portion of the bag liner such that the bag liner is suspended and/or constrained within the body portion 22. In some embodiments, the upper edge 26 of the body portion 22 may be rolled, including an annular cover or otherwise including features having a generally circular cross-section and/or extending outwardly from a generally vertical wall of the body portion 22 (see fig. 5). The outwardly extending upper peripheral edge 26 may support the bag liner and prevent the bag liner from tearing near the upper portion of the bag liner. Although not shown, in some embodiments, the trash can assembly 20 can include a liner support member that can support a bag liner supported by the body portion 22.

Fig. 1-6 illustrate a body portion 22 having a generally semi-circular configuration with a rear wall 28 and a curved front wall 30. However, other configurations, such as a rectangular configuration, may also be used. The body portion 22 may be made of plastic, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or any other material.

The pivotal connection between the body portion 22 and the cover portion 24 may be any type of connection that allows pivotal movement, such as a hinge element, pin, or lever. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the cover portion 24 is pivotable about pivot pins 50, 52 that extend transversely through the rear side shields 56. In some embodiments, a biasing member 126, such as one or more torsion springs, may be positioned about the pins 50, 52. The biasing member 126 may provide a biasing force to assist in opening and/or closing the lid portion 24. This may reduce the amount of power consumed by the motor 78 when moving the lid portion 24 between the open and closed positions and/or may allow for the use of a smaller motor (e.g., in terms of three-dimensional size and/or power output).

The trash can assembly 20 can include a base portion 44. The base portion 44 may have a generally annular and curved skirt upper portion and a generally flat lower portion for resting on a surface such as a kitchen floor. In some embodiments, the base portion 44 may comprise plastic, metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), or any other material. In some embodiments, the base portion 44 and the body portion 22 may be constructed of different materials. For example, the body portion 22 may be constructed of a metal (e.g., stainless steel) and the base portion 44 may be constructed of a plastic material.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5, the base portion 44 may be formed separately from the body portion 22. The base portion 44 may be connected with the body portion 22 or attached to the body portion 22 using an adhesive, welding, and/or a connection member 46 such as a hook and/or fastener (e.g., a screw). For example, the base portion 44 may include a hook tab that may be connected with a lower edge (e.g., a bead) of the body portion 22. The hook tab may engage the lower edge of the body portion 22 through a snap fit connection.

As shown in fig. 5, the base portion 44 may include a protrusion 40 that is open or vented to the ambient environment (e.g., through a generally flat lower portion of the base portion 44). As shown, the particular embodiment of the base portion 44 includes a generally central channel 41 extending through the base portion 44.

In some embodiments, the trash can assembly 20 can include a bushing insert 100 (see fig. 5) positioned within the body portion 22. The bushing insert 100 may be secured to the base portion 44. For example, the bushing insert 100 may have a support member 48 that engages the base portion 44 (e.g., with fasteners, welding, etc.). The support member 48 may support and/or lift the liner insert 100 upward away from the base portion 44.

The liner insert 100 may generally support and/or cradle a lower liner of a liner placed in the trash can assembly 20 to protect the liner from cracking or damage and to retain leaks. For example, liner insert 100 may have a generally smooth surface to reduce the likelihood of the bag liner being torn or punctured by contact with liner insert 100. As shown, the liner insert 100 may be generally concave or bowl-shaped.

Even in trash can assemblies 20 that do not use a generally rigid liner that extends along most or all of the height of the body portion 22, the liner insert 100 can reduce the chance of damage to the bag liner. In some embodiments, the height of the liner insert 100 may be substantially less than the height of the body portion 22, with the uppermost surface of the liner insert 100 being positioned substantially closer to the bottom of the trashcan assembly 20 than the middle and/or top of the trashcan assembly 20. In some embodiments, the height of the liner insert 100 may be less than or substantially equal to about 1/4 the height of the body portion 22. In particular embodiments, the height of the liner insert 100 may be less than or substantially equal to about 1/8 the height of the body portion 22.

The liner insert 100 may form a seal (e.g., generally liquid proof) with the lower portion of the body portion 22. In some embodiments, the liner insert 100 may include an opening 42 configured to correspond with or mate with the protrusion 40 located on the inner bottom surface of the base portion 44, thereby placing the opening 42 and the protrusion 40 in fluid communication. By aligning the opening 42 of the bushing insert 100 with the protrusion 40 of the base portion 44, the opening 42 can allow ambient air to flow into and out of the interior of the trash can assembly. The opening 42 may inhibit or prevent an area of negative pressure (e.g., compared to the ambient environment) from occurring within the trash can assembly 20 when a user removes the bag liner from the trash can assembly 20. Further, in certain variations, when a user inserts waste or other material into the bag liner in the trash can assembly 20, air within the trash can assembly 20 can exit through the openings 42 and the projections 40. The opening 42 may inhibit the occurrence of negative pressure regions within the trash can assembly 20 (e.g., as compared to the environment) and allow the bag liner to freely expand.

In some embodiments, the trash can assembly 20 can include a rear enclosure 56 that can house a plurality of bag liners (not shown). The rear cover 54 may enclose an open portion of the rear side cover 56. Rear housing 54 may include a rear cover 49 that provides access to the interior of rear housing body 56 so that a user may replenish the plurality of pouch liners. The inner surface of the rear side cover 56 may include an opening 57 (see fig. 11A) that provides access to the plurality of pouch liners from the interior of the main body portion 22. The rear wall 28 of the body portion 22 may include an opening 55 in communication with a rear side cover opening 57. The openings 55, 57 may be positioned so that a user may access the interior of the main body portion 22 and remove the bag liner from the rear enclosure 56. Additional examples and details of bag liner dispensers are included in U.S. provisional application No. 61/949,868, filed 3, 7, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As with all embodiments herein, any structure, feature, material, step, and/or process described in this application can be used in addition to or in place of any structure, feature, material, step, and/or process described in this application.

As shown in fig. 11A, the rear housing 56 may house a power source 66 and an electrically operated drive mechanism 58 (discussed in more detail below) that drives movement of the cover. In some embodiments, the rear side enclosure 56 may include a port 43 (e.g., a USB port, mini-USB port, or otherwise) for recharging the power source 66 (see fig. 3). In some embodiments, the rear enclosure 56 may include a power button 51 (see fig. 3) for turning power on and off for one or more features of the trash can assembly 20.

The controller 70 (which in some embodiments is stored in the rear enclosure 56) may control one or more features of the trash can assembly 20, such as an electrically operated drive mechanism. The controller 70 may include one or more circuit boards (PCBs) that may provide hardwired feedback control circuitry, at least one processor and memory device for storing and executing control routines, or any other type of controller. In some embodiments, the memory included in the controller 70 may be a computer-readable medium and may store one or more of any of the software modules and/or hardware modules described and/or illustrated in this specification. A module may store data values that define executable instructions. One or more processors of the controller 70 may be in electrical communication with the memory and may be configured by executable instructions included in the memory to perform the functions or portions of the functions of the trash can assembly 20. For example, in some aspects, the memory may be configured to store instructions and algorithms that cause the processor to send a command that triggers at least one of some modes of operation (e.g., ready mode, hyper mode, calibration mode, etc.) of the trashcan assembly 20 as described herein with reference to fig. 9A-9B and 13. As another example, in some aspects, the memory may be configured to store instructions and algorithms that cause the processor to send a command that triggers the motor 78 to move the lid portion 24 between the open and closed positions based at least in part on a received voice command, such as in the example described in fig. 19 herein.

The rear housing 56 may have a generally low profile configuration. For example, the rear side enclosure 56 may extend rearwardly from the rear wall 28 a distance less than or equal to about the distance from the rear wall 28 to the furthest rearward extent of the lid portion 24 and/or the furthest rearward extent of the edge ring portion 38, such as less than or equal to about 1 inch, or a distance less than or equal to about 1/5 of the distance between the outer side surface of the rear wall 28 and the forwardmost portion of the front wall 30.

Edge ring part

In some embodiments, the trash can assembly 20 can include a rim portion 38 that can secure or retain an upper portion of the bag liner between the rim portion 38 and the upper edge 26 of the body portion 22. The skirt portion 38 may surround at least a portion of the body portion 22 and/or be positioned at least partially over the body portion 22. As shown, the diameter of the skirt portion 38 may be greater than the diameter of the upper portion of the body portion 22 such that the skirt portion 38 may be received, telescoped, and/or removably locked to the upper edge 26 of the body portion 22, such as by a friction fit. When the bag liner is placed in the body portion 22 with the upper portion of the bag liner positioned over the hem or annular cover of the upper edge 26, the skirt portion 38 may be positioned (e.g., rotated into position) such that the bag liner is disposed between the skirt portion 38 and the body portion 22. The skirt portion 38 secures a portion of the bag liner within the body portion 22 and prevents the bag liner from falling into the body portion 22.

The skirt portion 38 may include a rear ledge portion 39 that may be secured to the rear side cover 56 and/or the main body portion 22, such as by fasteners 29 (e.g., screws). Some embodiments of the skirt portion 38 may be rotatable relative to the body portion 22 and/or the cover portion 24. The skirt portion 38 may be made of various materials such as plastic or metal. The skirt portion 38 and the body portion 22 may be made of the same or different materials. For example, the rim portion 38 and the body portion 22 may be constructed of a plastic material. Some embodiments of the rim portion 38 may engage and/or overlap the upper edge 26 of the trashcan assembly 20.

The rim portion 38 is pivotally coupled to the trash can assembly 20. For example, the cover portion 24 and the skirt portion 38 may pivot substantially along the same pivot axis. In some embodiments, the skirt portion 38 includes a retaining mechanism that maintains the skirt portion 38 in the open position while the bag liner is being replaced or the trash can interior is being cleaned. As shown in fig. 11C, the skirt portion 38 may include a retaining shell (retaining housing)160 positioned within the rear ledge 39. The stop housing 160 may be integrally formed with or secured to the outer and/or inner edge rings (if present) 38a, 38B (see fig. 7A and 7B). The stop housing 160 may include a first stop structure 162a configured to mate with (e.g., engage) a second stop structure provided on the rear side cover 56. When the edge ring portion 38 is moved to the open position, the first stop structure 162a can cooperate with the second stop structure 162b to maintain the edge ring portion 38 in the open position. In some embodiments, the first stop structure 162a may be a tooth and the second stop structure 162b may be a ball-and-socket (divot), a slot, an opening, or the like.

Cap sensor assembly

The trashcan assembly 20 can include a sensor assembly 102 for detecting user movement (e.g., by detecting a signal or characteristic such as light, heat, electrical conductivity, magnetic reflection or emission, or other means). The sensor assembly 102 may communicate with the controller 70 to control the cover movement.

The sensor assembly 102 may be disposed at a substantially outer portion of the trashcan assembly 20. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 102 can be positioned at least partially between the outer edge ring 38a and the inner edge ring 38B (see fig. 7A and 7B), with a portion of the sensor assembly 102 exposed outside of the trash can. For example, as shown in fig. 7A, the sensor assembly 102 can be positioned such that at least a portion of the upper surface 102a and/or the front surface 102b of the sensor assembly 102 is exposed outside of the trash can. The sensor assembly 102 may be positioned near a central portion and/or an upper portion of the front surface of the skirt portion 38 such that an exposed surface of the sensor assembly 102 may be substantially flush with the top surface and/or the outer front surface of the skirt portion 38 and/or the shape of the exposed surface of the sensor assembly 102 may substantially match or correspond to the shape of the top surface and/or the outer front surface of the skirt portion 38.

Fig. 8A and 8B illustrate enlarged views of the sensor assembly 102. The sensor assembly 102 may include a support structure 110 for supporting one or more transmitters and receivers. The outer cover 106 may be secured to the support structure 110 to cover one or more transmitters and receivers. The outer cover portion 106 may include one or more attachment features 108 that secure the sensor assembly 102 to the rim portion 38 (e.g., using screws, hooks, or other fasteners).

The outer cover 106 may comprise a lens cover 104 which may be transparent or translucent to allow transmission and/or reception of optical signals. For example, the lens cover 104 may be made of a material such as polycarbonate, mold clone (Makrolon)

Etc. glass or plastic. In some embodiments, the lens cover 104 may be opaque to visible light and transmissive or translucent to UV light and/or infrared light to reduce false signals from visible light and substantially visually cover the transmitter and/or receiver. The lens cover 104 may be substantially flush with the top surface and the outer front surface of the rim portion 38. As shown in fig. 1, the lens cover 104 of the sensor assembly 102 may be aligned with the rim portion 38. The front surface of the lens cover 104 may be aligned with the front surface of the edge ring portion 38 and the top surface of the lens cover 104 may be curved over the top edge of the edge ring portion 38 such that the top surface of the lens cover 104 is substantially flush with the hem of the edge ring portion 38. In some embodiments, the width of the lens cover 104 may be at least twice the height of the lens cover 104, e.g. the width may be about 30mm and the height may be about 7 mm. At one endIn some embodiments, the height of the lens cover 104 may be at least about twice the depth of the lens cover, e.g. the height may be about 15mm and the depth may be about 7 mm.

As shown in fig. 8B, the sensor assembly 102 can include one or more transmitters 112a-d (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, or more) and one or more receivers 114 (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, or more). The emitters 112a-d may emit electromagnetic energy, such as infrared light. The light beams emitted from the emitters 112a-d may define one or more overlapping or separate sensing regions 130, 132. In some embodiments, the outer perimeter of the sensing regions 130, 132 may be identified by regions where the target (e.g., a person's body) will not trigger the cover to move or the emitted light has a radiant intensity below 50% of maximum. The receiver 114 may receive electromagnetic energy, such as infrared light, and detect reflections of the target within the beams emitted from the emitters 112 a-d. If the receiver 114 detects a signal above a particular sensing threshold, the sensor assembly 102 can send a signal to the controller 70 to activate the function of the trash can assembly 20. In certain variations, the transmitter may transmit other types of energy such as sound waves, radio waves, or any other signal. The transmitter and receiver may be integrated into the same sensor or configured as separate components.

The emitters 112a-d may emit light in more than one direction, e.g., a first subset of emitters may emit light in a first direction and a second subset of emitters may emit light in a second direction. As shown in FIG. 8B, the first subset of emitters 112a-c may include a greater number of emitters than the second subset of emitters 112 d. For example, the first subset of emitters may include 3 emitters 112a-c and the second subset of emitters may include a single emitter 112 d. However, any number of emitters may be included in each subset of emitters and/or additional subsets of emitters may emit light in additional directions. In some embodiments, the first subset of emitters 112a-c and the second subset of emitters 112d may be mounted on different PCB boards. However, in other embodiments, all of the emitters 112a-B may be mounted on a single PCB board, for example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 8B, with a structure that allows the second subset of emitters 112d to be oriented at a different angle than the first subset of emitters 112 a-c.

The first subset of emitters 112a-c may be positioned on or in the support structure 110 such that an emission axis of each of one or more of the first subset of emitters 112a-c is substantially perpendicular to the front surface 118 of the support structure 110. In some embodiments, the front surface 118 can be positioned at an angle (e.g., at least about: -10 °, -5 °,0 °, 5 °, 10 °, 15 °, 20 °, 25 °,30 °, a value between, or otherwise) relative to a longitudinal axis of the trash can assembly 20, such as between about-10 ° and about 45 °. For example, as shown in fig. 9C, the first subset of emitters 112a-C may emit light at an angle of between about 0 ° to about 60 °, such as 45 °, from the top surface of the trashcan assembly. As another example, as shown in fig. 9D, the first subset of emitters 112a-c may emit light at an angle of between about-10 ° and 10 °, such as 0 °, from the top surface of the trash can assembly. As shown in fig. 8B, the second subset of emitters 112d may be positioned on or in a platform 120 extending from the support structure 110. The platform 120 may be positioned such that the emission axis of each of the second subset of emitters 112d is positioned at an angle (e.g., a value between about 45 °, 60 °, 75 °, 80 °, 85 °, 90 °, 95 °, 100 °, or otherwise) such as between about 45 ° to about 100 ° relative to the front surface 118 of the support structure 110. In some embodiments, the upper surface of the platform 120 may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trash can assembly 20. As shown in fig. 9C and 9D, the second subset of emitters 112D may be positioned or otherwise configured to emit light along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trash can assembly 20.

As shown in fig. 8B, the second subset of transmitters 112d and the receivers 114 may be positioned on opposite sides of the first subset of transmitters 112 a-c. However, in certain variations, second subset of transmitters 112d and receivers 114 may be positioned on the same side of first subset of transmitters 112a-c or interspersed between transmitters 112a-c in the first subset.

Support structure 110 may include a protruding portion 116 that extends across at least a portion of the length of first subset of emitters 112 a-c. The inner wall 116a of the projection 116 may be substantially perpendicular to the front surface 118 of the support structure 110. As shown in fig. 8B, the projections 116 may extend from an upper portion of the support structure 110 and along the length of the first subset of emitters 112 a-c. The inner wall 116a of the protruding portion 116 may obstruct portions of the emissions from the first subset of emitters 112a-c that may inadvertently trigger cover movement (e.g., when the emitted light reaches the receiver 114 without first being reflected off the user). In some embodiments, the second subset of emitters 112d may be spaced apart from the protruding portion 116 such that the protruding portion 116 does not interfere with emissions from the second subset of emitters 112 b.

The receiver 114 may be recessed from the front surface 118 of the support structure. The recessed portion can include an upper wall 122a positioned at an angle (e.g., at least about: 15 °, 20 °, 25 °,30 °, values in between, or otherwise) relative to a longitudinal axis of the trash can assembly 20, such as between about 0 ° and about 45 °. The recessed portion may also include sidewalls 122b, 122 c. The sidewall 122b may separate the emitters 122a-d from the receiver 114 to reduce the likelihood that emitted light will reach the light receiver without first being reflected off a separate surface, such as a user.

The first subset of emitters 112a-c may emit light in a first direction and the second subset of emitters 112d may emit light in a second direction. As shown in fig. 8B, each emitter in each subset of emitters may emit light in substantially the same direction. However, in other embodiments, one or more emitters in each subset may emit light in a different direction.

As shown in fig. 9A and 9B, the emitters 112a-d may produce a first sensing region 130 extending in a first direction and a second sensing region 132 extending in a second direction. As shown, the sensing region may be generally conical in shape. The cones may extend along respective centerlines. In some embodiments, the first direction (e.g., along a centerline of the sensing region 130) is between about 30 ° and about 90 ° from the second direction, such as between about 30 ° and about 45 °, between about 45 ° and about 60 °, between about 60 ° and about 75 °, or between about 75 ° and about 90 °. The first sensing region 130 can extend generally upwardly, for example, within about 15 ° of the longitudinal axis of the trash can assembly 20. This can enable the trash can assembly 20 to detect user movement over the trash can assembly 20 (e.g., from a hand waving over the cover portion 24). As described above, the second sensing region 132 may extend in a second direction (e.g., along a centerline of the sensing region 130). The second direction may be generally outward from the trashcan assembly 20. For example, the second direction can extend between about 0 ° and about 60 ° (e.g., about 45 °) from the top surface of the trashcan assembly. This may enable the trash can assembly 20 to detect movement of a user in front of the trash can assembly 20 (e.g., from a user standing in front of the trash can assembly 20). In some embodiments, the centerlines of the first sensing region 130 and the second sensing region 132 are about perpendicular to each other, such as one centerline being substantially perpendicular and the other centerline being substantially horizontal.

As described above, the first subset of transmitters 112a-c may include a greater number of transmitters than the second subset of transmitters 112 d. The number of emitters that emit light in front of the trashcan assembly 20 (e.g., between about-10 ° and about 10 ° from the top surface of the trashcan assembly and/or from a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trashcan) may be greater than the number of emitters that emit light above the trashcan assembly 20 (e.g., along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trashcan assembly 20). As shown in FIG. 9C, the first subset of emitters 112a-C may implement a sensing region 132 having a greater depth (i.e., a greater beam angle) than the sensing region 130. In certain variations, such as shown in FIG. 9D, the depth (i.e., beam angle) of the sensing region 132 is greater than or equal to the depth of the sensing region 130. In some embodiments, each of the second subset of emitters 112d may emit light at a half angle greater than each of the first subset of emitters 112 a-c. The half angle is measured from the central emission axis to the area where the target can no longer be detected or the radiation intensity is below 50% of the maximum. For example, the half angle of emitter 112d may be about 18, and the half angle of each of emitters 112a-c may be about 10.

In some embodiments, the sensing regions 130, 132 may be adjusted by changing one or more characteristics of the lens cover 104. For example, the sensing regions 130, 132 may vary according to the angle of the lens cover 104 relative to the axis of light emission from the emitters 112 a-d. As another example, the sensing regions 130, 132 may vary according to the cross-sectional shape (e.g. rectangular or triangular) of the lens cover 104.

In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 102 may only require sufficient power to produce a low-power beam of light that is visible or invisible to the human eye. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 102 may operate in a pulsed mode. The transmitters 112a-d may be powered on and off in short pulses for any desired period of time (e.g., less than or equal to about 0.01 seconds, less than or equal to about 0.1 seconds, or less than or equal to about 1 second) at any desired frequency (e.g., once every half second, once every 10 seconds) in a cycle. Cycling may greatly reduce the power requirements for powering the sensor assembly 102. In operation, cycling does not degrade performance in some embodiments, as the user typically stays in a beam path that is long enough for the detection signal to be generated.

In some embodiments, the trash can assembly 20 can have one or more modes of operation, such as a ready mode and an over mode. In some embodiments, the trash can assembly 20 can include an algorithm that determines whether and when to trigger the trash can assembly 20 to operate in the ready mode, the hyper mode, or any other mode. For example, the algorithm may be executed by a software module of the controller 70 (e.g., lid position controller) and may send a command to open the lid portion 24. In some embodiments, a command may be sent if (e.g., in response to) a target is detected within the ready mode sensing region 130b, 132 b. In particular implementations, if an object is detected within the hyper- mode sensing zones 130a, 132a and/or stays within the hyper- mode sensing zones 130a, 132a (e.g., for a predetermined period of time), the controller 70 may send a command to open the lid and/or hold the lid open.

The algorithm may include various circumstances in which the trash can assembly 20 provides actions such as lid portion 24 opening and closing, trigger ready mode and hyper mode, or other actions. For example, broadly, an algorithm may comprise evaluating one or more received signals and, in response, determining whether to provide an action. In some embodiments, the algorithm determines whether to provide an action in response to receiving signals from at least two sensors, such as at least two transmitters (e.g., transmitter 112d and at least one of transmitters 112 a-c).

In some cases, in the ready mode, the cover portion 24 can be opened when a target is detected within at least one of the ready mode sensing regions 130b (e.g., a generally vertical region) and/or 132b (e.g., a generally horizontal region). For example, in some embodiments, the cover portion 24 is opened in response to an object being detected in the sensing region 130 b. In certain implementations, the trashcan assembly 20 is configured to open the lid portion 24 only in response to an object being detected in the sensing region 130 and/or not open the lid portion 24 in response to an object being detected in the sensing region 132.

At least one of the transmitters 112a-d is operable when the trashcan assembly 20 is in the ready mode. In some embodiments, in the ready mode, substantially vertical transmitter 112d operates (e.g., transmits a signal), and substantially horizontal transmitters 112a-c are disabled (e.g., do not transmit a signal). This may reduce power usage and/or the chance of the cover portion 24 being opened unintentionally, such as in response to a person walking past the front of the trash can assembly 20. In some variations, when the trashcan assembly 20 is in the ready mode, the substantially horizontal sensing field 132 does not occur until the vertical transmitter 112d has transmitted a signal for a period of time, but before and/or until an object is detected in the sensing region 130 b. In other variations, in the ready mode, both the substantially vertical transmitter 112d and the substantially horizontal transmitters 112a-c are enabled. In some embodiments, in the ready mode, the substantially vertical sensing region 130b may span the range 130c, for example, extending between about 1 inch to about 6 inches from the upper surface 102a of the sensor assembly 102.

In a particular implementation, the trash can assembly 20 creates both first and second ready- mode regions 130b, 132 b. As shown in fig. 9A and 9B, the upwardly oriented, ready mode sensing region 130B may extend across a greater distance than the outwardly oriented, ready mode sensing region 132B (e.g., at the front of the trashcan assembly, such as at least about 10 ° from horizontal). For example, the ready mode sensing region 130b may extend across a range 130c of, for example, between about 0 inches and about 6 inches from the upper surface 102a of the sensor assembly 102, and the ready mode sensing region 132b may extend across a range 132c of, for example, between about 0 inches and about 3 inches from the front surface 102b of the sensor assembly 102. The outermost portion of the ready mode sensing region 132 may form a beam angle a of between about 30 ° to about 90 °, such as about 60 °. The beam angle can be measured from the central emission axis to the area where the target can no longer be detected or the radiation intensity is below 50% of the maximum. As described above, in some embodiments, the sensing region 132 is not formed when the trashcan assembly 20 is in the ready mode. For example, some embodiments do not include the ready mode sensing region 132 b.

When the lid portion 24 is open, the lid portion 24 may remain open as long as the sensor assembly 102 detects an object in at least one of the sensing regions 130, 132. In some implementations, the cover portion 24 is moved to the closed position when an object is no longer detected in at least one of the sensing regions 130, 132. Alternatively, the lid portion 24 may remain open for a predetermined period of time. For example, opening the lid portion 24 may initialize a timer. If the sensor assembly 102 does not detect an object before the timer expires, the lid portion 24 returns to the closed position, and if the sensor assembly 102 detects an object before the timer expires, the controller 70 either re-initializes the timer immediately or after the timer expires. In some embodiments, the trash can assembly 20 can operate in a keep-open mode. If the target or movement of the target is continuously detected in the ready mode region or the hyper mode region (if activated), the lid portion 102 may remain open for an extended period of time. This can be useful when a large amount of waste is being thrown into the trash can assembly 20 or the interior of the trash can assembly 20 is being cleaned.

Once the ready mode is activated and/or the lid is opened and/or the sensor detects further movement in the ready mode zones 130b, 132b and/or the sensor detects that the target continues to exist in the ready mode zones 130b, 132b for a predetermined period of time, the sensor assembly 102 may enter a super mode (e.g., during the super mode, the sensor assembly 102 has increased sensitivity to movement within the zone or has a greater or wider sensitivity zone or has some other increased sensitivity signal detection) for a predetermined period of time. When the trashcan assembly 20 is in the hyper mode, the cover portion 24 may remain open as long as a target is detected within the ready mode regions 130b, 132b or the hyper mode regions 130a, 132 a. In some implementations, when an object is no longer detected in at least one of the sensing regions 130, 132, the lid portion 24 is moved to the closed position and/or the trash can assembly 20 is returned to the ready mode.

As shown in fig. 9A and 9B, the upwardly oriented, super mode sensing region 130a may extend across a range of between about 0 inches to about 6 inches from the ready mode sensing region 130B, for example up to about 12 inches from the upper surface 102a of the sensor assembly 102. The width of the hyper mode sensing region 130a may extend across at least a majority of the entire width of the trashcan assembly 20 or substantially the entire width of the trashcan assembly 20 (i.e., measured from a side wall to an opposite side wall of the trashcan assembly 20). For example, the width of the hyper mode sensing region 130a may extend at least about 75% of the width of the trashcan assembly 20 and/or less than or equal to about the width of the trashcan assembly 20. The outwardly oriented, super mode sensing region 132a may extend across a range 132d, for example, between about 0 inches to about 9 inches from the ready mode sensing region 132b, for example, a range of up to about 12 inches from the front surface 102b of the sensor assembly 102. In some embodiments, the ready mode region 132c and the hyper mode region 132d are approximately equal in extent. The width 132e of the hyper mode sensing region 132a may extend across at least a majority of the entire width of the trashcan assembly 20 or substantially the entire width of the trashcan assembly 20. For example, the width of the hyper mode sensing region 132a may be at least about 75% of the width of the trashcan assembly 20 and/or less than or equal to about the width of the trashcan assembly 20. For example, the width 132e may be between about 0 inches and about 7 inches. In some embodiments, the extent 130d of the upwardly oriented, hyper-modal region 130a may be about the same as the extent 132d of the outwardly oriented, hyper-modal region 132 a. In some embodiments, the angle of the sensing region 132 may decrease across the supermode sensing region 132 a. For example, the interior of the supermode sensing region 132a may form a beam angle α of between about 30 ° and about 90 °, such as about 60 °. The middle portion of the supermode sensing region 132a may form a beam angle β of between about 15 ° and about 75 °, such as about 47 °. The exterior of the supermode sensing region 132a may form a beam angle γ of between about 0 to about 60, such as about 30.

In some embodiments, emitter 112d is the primary emitter. For example, in some implementations, in the ready mode, transmitter 112d operates (e.g., transmits a signal) and transmitters 112a-c do not operate. As shown in fig. 9C and 9D, in some embodiments, the transmitter 112D can transmit a signal along an axis that is substantially parallel (e.g., between about-10 ° and about 10 ° from perfectly parallel) to the longitudinal axis of the trashcan assembly 20. The ready mode sensing region 130b may extend across the range 130c, for example, between about 0 inches and about 10 inches from the upper surface 102a of the sensor component 102. In those embodiments where transmitters 112a-c are not operating in the ready mode, the range of ready mode sensing region 132b is approximately 0 inches. Transmitter 112d may operate in a ready mode at a frequency of about 8 Hz.

In certain instances, in the ready mode, the trash can assembly 20 determines whether a first target detection event, such as a target being detected in the ready mode sensing area 130b, has occurred. In some embodiments, the cover portion 24 is opened in response to detection of the first object detection event. In some variations, in response to a first target detection event, the trashcan assembly 20 may enter a hyper mode. In some embodiments, the cover portion 24 is opened when the trashcan assembly 20 enters the overt mode (e.g., before the trashcan assembly 20 enters the overt mode, while the trashcan assembly 20 enters the overt mode, or immediately after the trashcan assembly 20 enters the overt mode). In certain variations, unlike some of the above, the cover portion 24 is not opened when the trashcan assembly 20 enters the hyper mode. Conversely, as will be described in more detail in the following paragraphs, in some embodiments, opening the lid portion 24 requires that additional conditions (e.g., additional target detection) be met. In some implementations, holding the lid portion 24 open requires additional conditions (e.g., additional target detection).

In some embodiments, in the hyper mode, transmitter 112d continues to operate and transmitters 112a-c also begin to operate. In embodiments where transmitters 112a-c were active prior to the first object detection event (e.g., transmitters 112d and 112a-c became active simultaneously, transmitter 112d became active prior to transmitters 112a-c, and transmitters 112a-c became active prior to transmitter 112 d), in the hyper mode, transmitter 112d and transmitters 112a-c continue to operate. In some variations, the transmitter 112d may cease operation, such as until the receiver 114 detects a target in the sensing region 132 and/or until the sensor assembly 102 reverts to the ready mode. As shown in fig. 9D, the transmitters 112a-c may transmit signals between about-10 ° and about 10 ° from the top surface of the trashcan assembly 20 and/or along a line generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trashcan assembly 20. In a particular embodiment, each emitter 112a-d emits a signal every approximately 1/4 seconds (e.g., each emitter 112a-d operates at a frequency of approximately 4 Hz). The transmitters 112a-d may be operated sequentially such that no two transmitters 112a-d transmit signals simultaneously. Sequential transmitters 112a-d may operate in any order.

In various embodiments, the range of the sensing region in the super mode may be increased compared to the ready mode. For example, as shown in fig. 9A and 9B, in the over mode, the upward directional range of the sensing region may be increased, such as between about 0 inches and about 5 inches beyond the upper limit of the ready mode sensing region 130B. In some embodiments, the hyper mode sensing region 130a extends vertically to about 15 inches from the upper surface 102a of the sensor assembly 102. The width of the hyper mode sensing region 130a may extend across at least a majority of the entire width of the trashcan assembly 20 or substantially the entire width of the trashcan assembly 20 (e.g., measured from a side wall to an opposite side wall of the trashcan assembly 20). For example, the width of the hyper mode sensing region 130a may extend at least about 75% of the width of the trashcan assembly 20 and/or less than or equal to about the width of the trashcan assembly 20. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 102 changes its sensitivity in the hyper mode, such as being more sensitive in the hyper mode than in the ready mode.

Various techniques may be employed to increase the extent of the sensing region and/or increase the sensitivity of the sensor assembly 102. For example, in some embodiments, the amount of power supplied to the transmitters 112a-d and/or the power of the transmitted signals is increased. In certain embodiments, the sensitivity of the receiver 114 is increased in the hyper mode. For example, the minimum signal level (also referred to as a threshold) of a target determined to be detected may be reduced. In some implementations, in the hyper mode, the detected signal is filtered (to reduce noise that may lead to false target detection) and the amount of filtering is reduced. This may result in detection of a particular target that will be filtered out in the ready mode but not in the hyper mode.

In the hyper mode, an outwardly directed (e.g., substantially horizontal) sensing region 132 may be generated. As shown in fig. 9B, the sensing region 132 may extend across the range 132 d. For example, the sensing region 132 can extend between about 0 inches to about 12 inches from the front surface 102b of the sensor assembly 102. The width 132e of the hyper mode sensing region 132 may extend across at least a majority of the entire width of the trashcan assembly 20 or substantially the entire width of the trashcan assembly 20. For example, the width of the sensing region 132 may be at least about 75% of the width of the trashcan assembly 20 and/or less than or equal to about the width of the trashcan assembly 20. For example, the width 132e may be between about 0 inches and about 7 inches. The length 132f of the distance between the sensor assembly 102 on the central emission axis and the outer edge of the sensing region 132a may be between about 0 inches and about 10 inches, at the outer edge of the sensing region 132a the target may no longer be detected or the radiation intensity drops below 50% of the maximum. In some implementations, the length 132g of the sensing region 132 may be between about 0 inches and about 12 inches. In some embodiments, the extent 132d of the outwardly oriented sensing region 132 may be nearly the same as the extent 130d of the upwardly oriented hyper-mode sensing region 130 a. In some embodiments, the angle of the sensing region 132 may decrease across the sensing regions 132a and/or 132 b. For example, the inner portions of the sensing regions 132a and/or 132b may form a beam angle α of between about 30 ° and about 90 °, such as about 60 °. The middle portion of the sensing region 132a and/or 132b may form a beam angle β between about 15 ° and about 75 °, such as about 47 °. The outer portions of the sensing regions 132a and/or 132b may form a beam angle γ of between about 0 ° and about 60 °, such as about 30 °.

In some embodiments, in the hyper mode, the trash can assembly 20 determines whether a second target detection event has occurred. For example, in the hyper mode, the trashcan assembly 20 may see whether an object is within the sensing region 130 and/or the sensing region 132 for a particular period of time. In some embodiments, such targets may be detected by light received from one of the emitters 112a-c, reflected off the target, and through the receiver 114. Receiver 114 may wait for a reflected signal or any other signal that may indicate that a target was detected within sensing region 132 for a first predetermined period of time (e.g., about 1 second, about 5 seconds, etc., or based on the time it takes for transmitters 112a-d to transmit a predetermined number of signals). In some embodiments, some or all of the transmitters 112a-c may continue to operate for a first predetermined period of time after the sensor assembly 102 transitions to the hyper mode. In certain implementations, if a second object detection event is not detected within a first predetermined period of time (e.g., an object is not detected within the sensing region 132), the sensor assembly 102 reverts to the ready mode and/or closes the lid portion 24. In some implementations, such recovery includes reducing or ceasing operation of transmitters 112 a-c. In other implementations (e.g., implementations in which transmitters 112a-c are active in the ready mode), such recovery does not affect the operation of transmitters 112 a-c.

In some implementations, the lid portion 24 is opened and/or remains open (e.g., not closed) during the hyper mode in response to the trashcan assembly 20 determining that a second object detection event has occurred. For example, in the overtake mode, in response to a target being detected within the sensing region 130 and/or sensing region 132 for a second predetermined period of time (e.g., about 0.5 seconds, about 1 second, etc., or based on the time it takes for the transmitters 112a-d to transmit a predetermined number of signals), the controller 70 may then send a command (via a software module running an algorithm, such as a lid position controller) that triggers the trash can assembly 20 to open the lid. In some embodiments, the target is determined to be detected within the second time period when the target is detected at a first time and a second time separated by the second predetermined time period, the target is detected at a time span equal to at least twice the second predetermined time period, and/or the target is continuously detected during a time span equal to the second time period.

In some embodiments, the second object detection event occurs only when the object is detected within a sufficient amount of time to indicate that the presence of the object in the vicinity of the trashcan assembly 20 is not only transient or temporary. Examples of transient or temporary target detection may occur when a person passes by the trash can assembly 20. A person may inadvertently pass a portion of their hand or clothing over the cover portion 24 and within the ready mode sensing area 130b and then continue to walk away from the trash can assembly 20. In such a case, it may sometimes be desirable not to open the lid. This may reduce inadvertent operation of the cover portion 24 (which a user may consider annoying), reduce power usage, reduce the chance of odor in the trash can assembly 20 escaping, and/or extend the operational life of the trash can assembly 20. In various embodiments, the trashcan assembly 20 is configured such that a person can pass by the trashcan assembly 20 without opening the lid portion 24 and/or such that the lid portion 24 automatically opens only after the person slows below a maximum speed (e.g., stops immediately before the trashcan assembly 20 (e.g., in front of the trashcan assembly 20)). In some embodiments, the maximum speed is less than a normal walking speed of a human, such as about 31 miles per hour (mph). In some embodiments, the trashcan assembly 20 is configured to open the lid portion 24 in response to a target being detected in the ready-mode sensing region 130b, and is further configured to close the lid portion 24 shortly after (e.g., within less than about 30 seconds from the beginning of the opening action) when a further target detection event is not detected in at least one of the regions 130, 132.

In some embodiments, the lid portion 24 remains open as long as an object is detected within the sensing region 130 or sensing region 132. For example, in certain implementations, in the hyper mode, the cover portion 24 remains open when an object is detected in the sensing region 130a or an object is detected in the sensing region 132 a. In certain embodiments, the controller 70 sends a command to close the cover portion 24 if no target is detected in the sensing region 130 or the sensing region 132 for at least a third predetermined period of time (e.g., about 1 second, about 5 seconds, etc., or based on the time it takes for the transmitters 112a-d to transmit a predetermined number of signals). In various embodiments, the sensor assembly 102 reverts to the ready mode after the lid portion 24 is closed and/or in response to no target being detected in the sensing regions 130, 132 for at least a third predetermined period of time.

A software module of the controller 70 (e.g., a lid position controller) may execute a timer or counter to determine whether the first, second, and/or third predetermined time periods have elapsed. Alternatively, the trash can assembly 20 can include a mechanical timer that transmits a signal to the controller 70 when the timer expires or flashes (fire) to indicate that the timer has expired.

In certain embodiments, the range and/or angle of the sensing regions 130a, 130b, 132a, and/or 132b is predetermined (e.g., set to the values described above). In other embodiments, the extent and/or angle of the sensing regions 130a, 130b, 132a, and/or 132b may be adjustable by a user. For example, a switch, dial, or other physical component may allow a user to adjust the range and/or angle settings. As another example, the trashcan assembly 20 (e.g., the sensor assembly 102) includes a wireless transceiver (e.g., a Bluetooth transceiver, a Wi-Fi transceiver, etc.) that communicates with the controller 70. As yet another example, the trash can assembly 20 can include a port (e.g., a universal serial bus port) that communicates with the controller 70. The user may adjust the range and/or angle settings through an application running on a mobile device (e.g., a cellular phone, tablet, laptop, watch, etc.) or any other computing device (e.g., a desktop computer), which may wirelessly transmit the user-provided adjustments to the wireless transceiver of the trash can assembly 20. The trash can assembly 20 can then adjust the range and/or angular settings accordingly.

In some embodiments, these arrangements of transmitters and/or receivers, or one or more other arrangements of transmitters and/or receivers in combination with one or more processing algorithms in the controller, may be configured to trigger opening of the lid in the ready mode or the hyper mode that occurs in one or more of the following situations: (a) when the target is positioned at or near the front, top, side corner or (left or right) area of the trashcan assembly; (b) when the target is positioned in front of the front plane or front of the trashcan assembly and further laterally spaced away from the lateral side (left or right) or side of the trashcan; (c) when the target is positioned at or below the top plane of the lid in the closed position, such as at least about the height of the leading end of the edge ring below the top plane of the lid in the closed position and/or at least about 2 inches below the plane of the lid in the closed position and/or at least about the front-to-back thickness of the edge ring below the plane of the lid in the closed position; (d) when the target is positioned above the uppermost surface of the trash can; (e) when the target is positioned above the uppermost surface of the trashcan and in front of the foremost surface of the trashcan; and/or (f) when the target is positioned above the uppermost surface of the trashcan and behind the foremost surface of the trashcan. In some embodiments, the sensing regions 130, 132 may have different levels of sensitivity. The emitters 112a-d may emit cones of light (subject to the nominal range of the sensor assembly 102) that define the sensing regions 130, 132 of the sensor. The region where two or more cones overlap may result in a sensing region of increased sensitivity. The portions of the sensing regions 130, 132 where the cones do not overlap create regions of reduced sensitivity. The user may need to be present in the area of reduced sensitivity for a longer period of time or move closer to the transmitter or receiver to trigger the cover movement than in the area of increased sensitivity.

In some embodiments, the controller 70 may trigger an extended-transaction (extended-shore) mode in which the rim portion 38 may be opened (as described above) to allow a user to replace the bag liner or clean the interior of the trash can assembly 20. For example, the trash can assembly 20 can include separate sensor assemblies or sensing regions (e.g., on lateral side walls of the body portion 22 or the rear wall 28 of the body portion) that are configured to trigger an extended transaction mode. As another example, a user may trigger an extended transaction mode by a particular hand action. In some embodiments, the user may manually position the skirt portion 38 in the open mode.

Environmental calibration

In some embodiments, the controller 70 may trigger a calibration mode in which the sensing threshold of the receiver 114 may be adjusted to account for changes in the environment surrounding the trash can assembly 20. The calibration mode may be configured to avoid accidental actuation (e.g., opening) of the trash can lid by a stationary target located within one or more of the sensing regions 130b, 132 b. For example, the receiver 114 of the sensor assembly 102 may detect the target within the sensing regions 130b, 132b by detecting one or more signals reflected from the target from one or more of the emitters 112 a-d. Having detected a target in one or more of the sensing regions 130b, 132b, the sensor assembly 102 can send a signal to the controller 70 to activate a function of the trash can assembly 20, such as a ready mode. However, situations may arise where a permanent or temporary stationary or static target is located within one or more of the sensing regions 130b, 132b of the trashcan assembly 20, such as when a user places the trashcan assembly 20 near a stationary target, thereby positioning the target within the sensing regions 130b, 132 b. Some examples of stationary objects that may be conventionally placed within the sensing regions 130b, 132b include a wall or an underside of a piece of furniture or a table or desk or an interior of a cabinet or door. For example, the trash can assembly 20 can be placed under a table located within at least one of the sensing regions 130b, 132 b. Since the table is positioned within the sensing areas 130b, 132b, this may result in inadvertent or accidental operation of the cover portion 24, as the receiver 114 may detect a signal above the sensing threshold reflected from the table, causing the sensor 102 to send a signal to the controller 70 to activate the ready mode. In another example, degradation of the receiver 114 over time may cause sensor drift, which may result in inadvertent actuation of the cover portion 24. In some embodiments, an algorithm included in controller 70 may send commands to adapt the sensing threshold of receiver 114 based at least in part on changes in the ambient environment located within sensing zones 130b, 132 b.

An example method of adapting to a sensed condition of the trash can assembly 20 according to some embodiments will now be described with reference to fig. 13. In some embodiments, the adaptable sensing condition is a sensing threshold of the adaptable receiver 114 based at least in part on changes in the environment located within the sensing zones 130, 132. The process 1300 may be performed by the controller 70 of the trash can assembly 20 as described with reference to fig. 11A. The method may be implemented in part or in whole by a software module of the controller 70 or elsewhere in the trash can assembly 20, such as by one or more processors executing logic in the controller 70. In some embodiments, the controller 70 includes one or more processors in electronic communication with at least one computer-readable memory storing instructions for execution by at least one processor of the controller 70.

In some embodiments, process 1300 begins at a start block where a calibration mode may be initiated. In some embodiments, process 1300 may be initiated by an algorithm of controller 70 configured to periodically scan the ambient environment. Such scanning may occur with or without user initiation or interaction. For example, in auto-calibration, the controller 70 may send a command to trigger the calibration mode at set intervals (e.g., once per hour, once per day, once per week, etc.). The automatic periodic scanning allows the trashcan assembly 20 to continuously and automatically monitor the surrounding environment and update the sensing threshold according to the method described with reference to fig. 13. In some embodiments, the controller 70 may include an algorithm configured to send a command to trigger the calibration mode based on user input. For example, the trash can assembly 20 can include a button (not shown) that a user can operate to manually activate the calibration mode, such as when the trash can is positioned at a new location near a stationary target. In some embodiments, a user may place a stationary target within the sensing region 130b, 132b (e.g., by moving a piece of furniture near the trashcan assembly 20 or by moving the trashcan assembly 20 near a piece of furniture) and prior to activating the ready mode, detecting the target within the sensing region 130b, 132b may trigger the calibration mode. For example, if the trash can assembly 20 is actuated by a target within the sensing region 130b, 132b that moves no more than a set period of time (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, etc.), then the calibration mode can be triggered. In some embodiments, the controller 70 may automatically send a command to trigger the calibration mode when the user manually moves the cover (e.g., opens or closes it). For example, if the cover is improperly opened or remains open because a stationary target is within one or more of the sensing regions 130b, 132b, the user may manually close the cover, which may automatically trigger the calibration mode. Also, if the user manually opens the cover portion 24, this may indicate that one or more current sensing thresholds are inaccurate and the controller 70 is a missing event that should cause actuation of the trash can assembly 20.

After the calibration mode is initiated, process 1300 continues to block 1310 where the current state of the environment surrounding the trash can 20 is determined. For example, the current proximity measurement is acquired for one or more or all of the sensing regions of the trash can assembly 20. In some embodiments, the one or more proximity measurements may represent a distance between the trash can assembly 20 and a target located in an environment surrounding the trash can assembly 20. In some embodiments, acquiring proximity measurements for the sensing region includes detecting one or more targets located within the sensing region 130, 132. For example, emitters 112a-d may emit signals into sensing regions 130, 132, and objects located within sensing regions 130, 132 may cause reflected signals. The reflected signal detected by the receiver 114 may cause the sensor assembly 102 to send an electronic signal to the controller 70 to store information about nearby objects in the sensing regions 130b, 132b in a memory of the controller 70. It will be understood that while embodiments disclosed herein refer to sensing regions 130 and 132, the method of fig. 13 may not be limited to one or two sensing regions, but may include any number of sensing regions or directions. After determining the current state of the environment, processing continues to sub-process 1320 for each sensing region of the trash can assembly 20.

For multiple sensing regions, sub-process 1320 may continue to block 1330 where a stability threshold is determined. In some embodiments, the stability threshold may be based at least in part on past proximity measurements (past proximity measurements) or environmental measurements of a given sensing region. A set of past proximity measurements may be stored in the memory of the controller 70. The controller 70 may be configured according to instructions to calculate a stability threshold based on the set of past proximity measurements. For example, the stability threshold may comprise an average of past proximity measurements. In some embodiments, the stability threshold may be based on all past measurements or the average may be based on a set of past measurements corresponding to a predetermined time period (e.g., past proximity measurements of the previous day or week or month). In some embodiments, the stability threshold may include a determination of variability within past proximity measurements of a given sensing region. For example, the stability threshold may be based on a standard deviation of past proximity measurements used to determine the average proximity measurement.

After the stability threshold is determined, process 1300 continues to decision block 1340 where a determination is made as to whether the environment within a given sensing region is stable. In some embodiments, the environment may be deemed stable based at least in part on a comparison of the stability threshold with the current proximity measurement for a given sensing region. For example, if the current proximity measurement acquired in block 1310 for a given sensing region is outside, e.g., exceeds or falls below the stability threshold determined in block 1330, then the environment is determined to be unstable (e.g., "unstable"). In some embodiments, where the current proximity measurement from block 1310 is outside of the average proximity measurement and exceeds the standard deviation, then the environment may be considered unstable. In some embodiments, if decision block 1340 determines that the environment is unstable, process 1300 continues to an end block, the sensing threshold is not updated, and process 1300 is complete. In some embodiments, the determination of environmental instability may trigger one or more other functions of the trash can assembly 20, such as a ready mode, an over mode, etc., as described herein.

If decision block 1340 determines that the environment is stable based at least in part on a comparison of the stability threshold and the current state of the environment, process 1300 continues to decision block 1350. A determination is made at decision block 1350 whether the environmental measurement (e.g., distance between the sensor and a stationary target) for a given sensing region is less than a calibration value for that sensing region. In some embodiments, the calibration value may be a sensing threshold that is preset in the controller 70 that causes the sensor assembly 102 to send a signal to the receiver 114 of the controller 70 that activates the function of the trash can assembly 20. The calibration values may be based on the expected detection of reflected light of targets in the sensing regions 130b, 132b that activate the ready mode operation. The calibration values may be stored locally in the memory of the controller 70. In some embodiments, the predetermined calibration value may comprise a sensing threshold that was previously updated as a result of a previous iteration of the process 1300. In some embodiments, the stability of the environment may be determined based at least in part on the current state of the environment determined in block 1310 for the given sensing region. In some embodiments, the stability of the environment may be determined based at least in part on the average of the past proximity measurements determined in block 1330. In some embodiments, the controller 70 may include an algorithm configured to send a command to compare the proximity measurement to a calibration value

If it is determined that the environmental measurement is less than the predetermined calibration value, the process 1300 continues to block 1360. At block 1360, the sense threshold for a given sense region is reset to a calibration value. For example, the sensing threshold may be adjusted to a preset sensing threshold based on a calibration value, thereby inhibiting the receiver 114 from detecting targets outside of a given sensing region, e.g., due to sensor drift. In some embodiments, the updated sensing threshold may be stored in a memory of the controller 70.

If it is determined at decision block 1350 that the environment measurement is greater than the calibration value, process 1300 continues to block 1370. At block 1370, the sensing threshold for a given sensing region is normalized based on the environmental measurement. The updated sensing threshold may be stored in a memory of the controller 70. In some embodiments, the environment measurement may be based on the current state of the environment as determined in block 1310. In some embodiments, the environmental measurement may be based on an average of past proximity measurements as determined in block 1330. In embodiments where the environmental measurement is greater than a calibration value, the environmental measurement may represent a static change in the environment located within a given sensing region. The controller 70 may include an algorithm such as that which issues a command in process 1300 to normalize or calibrate the sensing threshold to accommodate static changes. For example, the sensing threshold may be adjusted or normalized. For example, a reflected signal received by the receiver 114 from a static change may produce an adjustment or normalization that represents a trigger measurement beyond which ready mode operation will be activated. In some embodiments, unintentional or accidental movement of the cover portion 24 may be avoided by normalizing the sensing threshold based on static changes.

In some embodiments, the sensing threshold may be updated to be equal to the environmental measurement plus a margin. Thus, the sensing threshold may be set to marginally exceed the environmental measurement, e.g., based on the standard deviation determined in block 1330. By setting the sensing threshold marginally beyond the environmental measurement, the controller 70 may account for noise detected by the sensor assembly 102 or other insignificant variations in the detected environment. The sensing threshold may be adapted or standardized to accommodate static changes in the surrounding environment, such as a new piece of furniture placed near the trash can assembly 20. In some embodiments, fixed or stationary targets within the sensing regions 130b, 132b do not trigger or may avoid repeated triggering or ready modes, thereby avoiding repeated inadvertent or accidental opening of the lid portion 24.

Once the sensing thresholds are updated for one or more sensing regions or from blocks 1360 or 1370, process 1300 continues to an end block and process 1300 is complete. Once process 1300 is complete, process 1300, or portions thereof, may be repeated. In some embodiments, the controller 70 may continuously or periodically monitor the ambient environment and update the sensing threshold as needed. In some embodiments, the controller 70 may send a command to trigger the calibration mode based on a predetermined time interval, such as once an hour, once a day, once a week, or once a month, etc. In some embodiments, the controller 70 may monitor the ambient environment to update the sensing thresholds as needed without having to constantly operate the sensor assembly 102. In some embodiments, including periodic rather than continuous operation of the calibration mode of the sensor assembly 102 may reduce the power requirements to power the sensor assembly 102, thereby improving the performance and lifetime of the sensor assembly 102. In some embodiments, controller 70 does not trigger process 1300 until a user input is received, such as a user operating a button or selecting a command prompt.

Lid drive mechanism

As described above, the rear housing 56 may house the power source 66 and the electrically operated drive mechanism 58 that drives movement of the cover. The drive mechanism 58 may include a drive motor 78 and a shaft 80. In some embodiments, the drive mechanism 58 may include a clutch member 84 translatable along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the shaft 80. The clutch member 84 may be positioned on the motor shaft 80 (see fig. 12) between the biasing member 82 (e.g., spring) and the end member 86 (e.g., torque transmitting member) such that the biasing member 82, the clutch member 84, and the end member 86 are substantially coaxial. At least some of the drive mechanism components may be removably coupled for ease of maintenance, replacement, etc.

As shown in fig. 12, the clutch member 84 may include one or more torque transmitting members, a first arm 106 and a second arm 108 that may extend radially outward from a body of the clutch member 84. In some embodiments, the arms 106, 108 may be spaced apart from each other by, for example, about 180 °. Such as at least about: values between 30 °, 45 °, 60 °, 90 °, 120 °, or various other angles.

In some embodiments, end member 86 may be secured to motor shaft 80 (e.g., by fasteners) such that torque from motor 78 may be transmitted through shaft 80 and into end member 86. Biasing member 82 may bias clutch member 84 against end member 86 to form a frictional engagement between clutch 84 and end member 86. When the end member 86 rotates, frictional engagement causes the clutch member 84 to rotate.

As shown in fig. 11A, the cover portion 24 may include a rear portion 64 that covers at least a portion of the drive mechanism 58. The cover portion 24 may include a cover drive portion 74 positioned at or near the rear underside of the cover portion 24. The lid drive portion 74 may abut, engage, contact, house the drive mechanism 58 and/or be housed by the drive mechanism 58 to facilitate opening and closing of the lid portion 24. For example, the cap drive portion 74 may be generally arcuate in shape and the cap drive portion 74 encompasses at least a portion of the drive mechanism 58. The lid drive portion 74 may include a rotational support member such as a first flange 88 and a second flange 90 that may extend radially inward. The flanges 88, 90 may be engaged with the clutch member 84 such that rotation of the clutch member 84 may drive the cover to move. The rotational force generated by the motor 78 (via the shaft 80, end member 86, and/or clutch member 84) energizes the arms 106, 108 to rotate against the flanges 88, 90 to rotate the cover portion 24.

In some cases, the user may inadvertently or intentionally attempt to manually close or open the cover portion 24. However, manually closing the lid portion 24 when the motor has opened the lid portion 24 or is in the process of opening the lid portion 24 violates the operation of the motor 78 and may damage components of the drive mechanism 58. For example, when the motor 78 is opening the lid portion 24, the motor 78 energizes the arms 106, 108 to abut the flanges 88, 90 and rotate the flanges 88, 90 in a first direction. However, when a user attempts to manually close the lid portion 24, the lid and flanges 88, 90 are energized to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. In this case, the arms 106, 108 are energized to rotate simultaneously in opposite directions, which may damage the clutch member 84, the shaft 80, and the motor 78.

To avoid such damage, the clutch member 84 may be configured to rotate relative to the end member 86 or other component such that manual operation of the cover portion 24 does not damage (e.g., remove or wear) the components of the drive mechanism 58. In some embodiments, the clutch member 84 may include a first cam surface 180 and a first return surface 182 (see fig. 12). The first cam surface 180 may be inclined from a first level to a second level relative to a plane extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the clutch member 84. The first return surface 182 may intersect the first cam surface 180 and may be disposed between a first level and a second level.

End member 86 may include a second cam surface 184 and a second return surface 186. Second cam surface 184 may be sloped from a first level to a second level relative to a plane extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of end member 86 and shaft 80. The second return surface 186 may intersect the first cam surface 180 and may be disposed between a first level and a second level.

Second cam surface 184 and second return surface 186 of end member 86 may be shaped to correspond to first cam surface 180 and first return surface 182 of clutch member 84, thereby allowing mating engagement of end member 86 and clutch member 84. For example, the apex 180a of the first caming surface 180 may embed into the valley 184b of the second caming surface 184, and the apex 184a of the second caming surface 184 may embed into the valley 180b of the first caming surface 180.

When the cover portion 24 is manually operated, the first inclined cam surface 180 is movable relative to the second inclined cam surface 184. As the inclined cam surface 180 slides relative to the second inclined cam surface 184, the apex 180a circumferentially approaches the apex 184 a. Relative movement between the first and second inclined cam surfaces 180, 184 (e.g., through interaction of the inclined portions) urges the clutch member 84 away from the end member 86 along the longitudinal axis of the shaft 80 (e.g., in a direction generally toward the motor 78 and against the bias of the biasing member 82). End member 86 may be generally prevented from moving longitudinally (e.g., by fasteners). Because the clutch member 84 is displaced from the end member 86, manual operation of the cover portion 24 can be performed without applying excessive pressure to or damage to the components of the trash can assembly 20.

When manual operation of the cover portion 24 ceases, the biasing member 82 may return the clutch member 84 to a normally full engagement with the end member 86. The re-engagement of the clutch member 84 and the end member 86 allows torque from the motor 78 to be transferred to the clutch member 84 to drive the cover to move.

As shown in fig. 11B, when the first arm 106 abuts the first flange 88 and the second arm 108 abuts the second flange 90, there is a circumferential distance D1 between the non-abutting surface 108a of the second arm 108 and the non-abutting surface 88a of the first flange 88. In some embodiments, there is a generally equal circumferential distance D2 (not shown) between the non-abutting surface 106a of the first arm 106 and the non-abutting surface 90a (not shown) of the second flange 90. In certain configurations, the circumferential distance D1 and/or D2 is greater than or equal to the amount of rotation of the lid from the open position to the closed position. For example, the circumferential distances D1 and/or D2 may be at least about 60 ° and/or less than or equal to about 125 °. In certain variations, the circumferential distance D1 and/or D2 is greater than or equal to about 80 °.

Due to the circumferential distances D1, D2 between the non-abutting surfaces 88a, 90a of the flanges 88, 90 and the non-abutting surfaces 106a, 108a of the arms 106, 108, the lid portion 24 can be manually operated without rotating the motor 78. If the user manually operates the cover portion 24, the flanges 88, 90 will rotate without applying force to the arms 106, 108 of the clutch member 84, thus rotating the cover without damaging the components of the drive mechanism 58.

In some embodiments, the drive mechanism 58 may drive the cover to move without the clutch member 84. As shown in FIG. 16A, the drive mechanism 58 may include a motor 78, a torque transfer system such as a shaft 80, fasteners 1602a-b, an adapter 1604, and an electronic dynamic position detector such as a potentiometer 1606. In some embodiments, the adapter 1604 and the potentiometer 1606 can be positioned on the shaft 80 adjacent the motor 78 or in mechanical communication with the shaft 80 adjacent the motor 78 such that the adapter 1604 and the potentiometer 1606 are substantially coaxial. The positioning of the adapter 1604 and the potentiometer 1606 on the shaft 80 is described in more detail below with reference to fig. 17D and 17E. The adapter 1604 may be positioned between the potentiometer 1606 and the motor 78. As shown in fig. 16B and 16C, the adapter 1604, the potentiometer 1606, and/or the motor 78 may be separate from one another.

In some embodiments, the adapter 1604 may be fixed or fitted to the shaft 80 or otherwise in mechanical communication with the shaft 80 such that torque from the motor 78 may be transmitted to the adapter 1604 through the shaft 80. Rotation of the shaft 80 by the motor 78 may cause the adapter 1604 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 80. Fasteners 1602a-b (e.g., screws) may be used to secure the adapter 1604 to the back 64 of the cover portion 24 as shown in fig. 18A and described in more detail below. The fasteners 1602a-b may generally inhibit longitudinal movement of the adapter 1604. The motor 78 may be rigidly coupled to the cover portion 24 via the adapter 1604 and the fasteners 1602 a-b. In some embodiments, the motor 78 may directly drive the opening and/or closing of the cover portion 24 without the clutch member 84.

As described above, in some cases, a user may inadvertently or intentionally attempt to manually close or open the cover portion 24. Likewise, the lid portion 24 may not be fully opened or closed due to obstructions (e.g., when opened, the lid portion 24 contacts the underside of the table or the trash can assembly 20 is overfilled with trash, preventing the lid portion 24 from being fully closed). In some systems, components of the drive mechanism 58 may be damaged when an obstruction or user action violates operation of the motor 78, particularly if the clutch assembly is not available.

In some embodiments, the trash can assembly 20 can avoid or prevent the possibility of such damage. In some embodiments, the drive mechanism 58 can monitor any friction or resistance that can indicate a blockage or manual operation of the trash can assembly 20 as the motor 78 is operated to open or close the lid portion 24. This friction or resistance may be detected by the motor 78, the potentiometer 1606, the controller 70, and/or any other component of the drive mechanism 58. For example, the potentiometer 1606 may output a voltage to the controller 70. As described in more detail below, as the motor 78 rotates the shaft 80, the shaft 80 causes the resistance of the potentiometer 1606 to change, thereby causing the voltage output by the potentiometer 1606 to change. Generally, when the cover portion 24 is opened or closed, the voltage output by the potentiometer 1606 is gradually changed in a constant direction (e.g., the voltage is gradually increased or gradually decreased), assuming that the shaft 80 is rotated in a single direction until the cover portion 24 is opened or closed. If an obstruction exists or a user attempts to manually control the trashcan assembly 20, the gradual change in voltage output by the potentiometer 1606 may be interrupted (e.g., when the voltage is expected to decrease, the voltage may begin to increase or when the voltage is expected to increase, the voltage may begin to decrease or the voltage is expected to increase or decrease, the voltage may remain constant and/or the voltage may change more slowly than expected, etc.). When such an interruption is detected by the controller 70, power to the motor 78 may be altered, such as by shutting down the power supply and/or reversing the direction of the motor 78 or otherwise deactivating the motor, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to components of the drive mechanism 58. When the motor 78 is deactivated, the movement of the lid portion 24 may work against the internal friction of the motor 78 (e.g., because the lid portion 24 is rigidly coupled to the motor 78 via the adapter 1604 and the fasteners 1602 a-b), thereby providing an inherent damping capability that reduces the closing speed of the lid portion 24.

In some embodiments, if an obstruction is detected (e.g., the voltage of the potentiometer 1606 remains substantially constant while the motor 78 attempts to drive the cover portion 24) and the obstruction occurs two or more times within a limited or predetermined period of time, this may indicate that an inanimate object (e.g., an underside or wall of a housing or a piece of furniture or a door, etc.) is obstructing operation of the cover portion 24 and/or causing the cover portion 24 to initially open. The controller 70 may reduce the range 130d and/or the range 132d, such as to a distance less than this target to reduce the likelihood that an inanimate target will cause the lid portion 24 to open in the future.

As shown in fig. 16B and 16C, the potentiometer 1606 may be coupled adjacent to or otherwise in electrical communication with the PCB of the controller 70. As shown in fig. 17A and 17B, the potentiometer 1606 may include one or more connectors 1706a-d that couple the potentiometer 1606 with a PCB. One or more connectors 1706a-d, along with other circuitry of the PCB, may form a closed circuit, allowing current to pass through the potentiometer 1606. The bottom of the potentiometer 1606 includes notches 1712a and 1712b that extend outward from the bottom of the potentiometer 1606 as shown in fig. 17C. Each of the notches 1712a-b respectively mates with an opening in the PCB when the potentiometer 1606 is adjacently coupled to the PCB.

In a particular embodiment, as shown in fig. 17D, the potentiometer 1606 includes an opening through which the shaft 80 extends longitudinally. The potentiometer 1606 also includes a contact portion 1710 that controls the variable resistance of the potentiometer 1606. The contact portion may be configured to connect with, functionally interact with, or mechanically communicate with a drive system of the lid. For example, a portion of the contact portion 1710 may have a flat surface and another portion of the contact portion 1710 may have a curved or rounded surface. Likewise, a portion of the shaft 80 may have a flat surface and another portion of the shaft 80 may have a curved or rounded surface. A flat surface of shaft 80 may abut, contact, and/or mate with a flat surface of contact portion 1710, and a curved or rounded surface of shaft 80 may abut, contact, and/or mate with a curved or rounded surface of contact portion 1710. In some embodiments, contact portion 1710 and shaft 80 each have corresponding or complementary grooves, recesses, or other non-uniform features on the surface to allow contact portion 1710 and shaft 80 to abut, contact, and/or mate. The rotational force generated by motor 78 (via shaft 80) may energize contact 1710 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of shaft 80. This rotation causes contact 1710 to adjust or alter the resistance of potentiometer 1606, thereby causing contact 1710 to adjust the output voltage of potentiometer 1606.

As shown in fig. 17E, the adapter 1604 may include a flange 1704. Like contact 1710, the inner portion of flange 1704 may have a flat surface and a curved or rounded surface. Flange 1704 may abut, contact, and/or mate with shaft 80 in a similar manner as contact 1710. The flange 1704 may extend radially outward from the remainder of the adapter 1604. The rotational force generated by the motor 78 (via the shaft 80) may energize the flange 1704 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 80, which rotates the remainder of the adapter 1604. In some embodiments, the motor 78 may be required to apply a greater force to drive the lid portion 24 from the closed position to the open position than to drive the lid portion 24 from the open position to the closed position. For example, as disclosed herein, the motor 78 may be positioned within the drive mechanism 58 that is covered by the rear portion 64 of the cover portion 24 as shown in fig. 18A. Given the position of the motor 78 and the pivot axis of the lid portion 24, the moment exerted on the lid portion 24 in the closed position may be greater than the moment exerted on the lid portion 24 in the open position. Gravity may assist in the process of opening to closing the drive mechanism 58 and gravity may resist the process of closing to opening the drive mechanism 58. To counteract the greater moment and gravity and reduce stress on the motor 78 and other drive structures, the drive structures may include one or more biasing members, such as springs 1802a and/or 1802B (e.g., tension springs) as shown in fig. 18B.

As shown in fig. 18C, springs 1802a and 1802b are coupled to the rear portion 64 of the cover portion 24. The spring 1802a may be canted from a first level to a second level relative to a plane extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pivot pins 50, 52. Likewise, the spring 1802b may be canted from a first level to a second level relative to a plane extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pivot pins 50, 52. The springs 1802a and 1802b may be stretched or elongated from the resting length of the springs 1802a and 1802 b. Thus, the springs 1802a, 1802b may help counteract the greater moment or force of gravity by providing a biasing force that helps the motor 78 drive the lid portion 24 to the open position.

Cover position sensor

As shown in fig. 10C, the cover portion 24 can include a position sensing system that includes one or more cover position sensing elements such as a first marker member 92 and a second marker member 94 and/or a variable resistor (e.g., a potentiometer). The drive mechanism 58 may include one or more position sensors, such as a first position sensor 96 and a second position sensor 98, for example, that detect the position of the cover portion 24 by detecting the position of the flag members 92, 94. The motor 78 and position sensors 96, 98 may be in communication with the controller 70 to facilitate controlling movement of the cover portion 24. As shown in fig. 11A and 11B, the drive mechanism 58 may include a first position sensor 96 (e.g., a closed position sensor) and a second position sensor 98 (e.g., an open position sensor). In some embodiments, the position sensors 96, 98 may include pairs of optical proximity detectors, such as light emitters, that cooperate with intermediate sensors 128, such as light receivers. As shown, the position sensors 96, 98 may be located in a single housing, which may facilitate manufacturing and maintenance and may reduce the overall space occupied by the position sensors 96, 98.

When the lid portion 24 is in its position or fully closed position, the first flag member 92 is located between the first position sensor 96 and the intermediate sensor 128 and the second flag member 94 is not located between the second position sensor 98 and the intermediate sensor 128. In this configuration, the first flag member 92 blocks emissions (e.g., signals) between the first position sensor 96 and the intermediate sensor 128, which may be interpreted (e.g., by a controller implementing an algorithm) to discern the position of the cover portion 24.

When the lid portion 24 is rotated to the fully open position, the first flag member 92 is rotated so that it is no longer between the first position sensor 96 and the intermediate sensor 128, and the second flag member 94 is rotated so that it is between the second position sensor 98 and the intermediate sensor 128. In this configuration, the second flag member 94 blocks emissions (e.g., signals) between the second position sensor 98 and the intermediate sensor 128, which may be interpreted by the controller 70 to discern the position of the cover portion 24.

Any combination of marking members and position sensors may be used to detect various positions of the cover portion 24. For example, additional positions (e.g., about a half-open position) may be detected using additional sensors and marking members in a manner similar or different from that described above. Some embodiments have a marking member located in the rear housing 56 and a position sensor on the cover portion 24.

In some embodiments, the output of an electronic dynamic position detector, such as potentiometer 1606, can indicate the position of the cover portion 24 without the need for a separate mechanical and/or optical positioning system. Thus, in some embodiments, the first and second flag members 92, 94, the first position sensor 96, and/or the intermediate sensor 128 are not used. For example, in some embodiments, rotation of shaft 80 may cause rotation of contact 1710, such as changing the resistance of potentiometer 1606 as described above. In some embodiments, rotation of the shaft 80 may cause both a change in the resistance of the potentiometer 1606 and a change in the position of the lid portion 24 (e.g., because the contact portion 1710 abuts, contacts, and/or mates with the shaft 80 and because the lid portion 24 is rigidly coupled with the motor 78). The position of the cover portion 24 can be directly or indirectly related to the resistance of the potentiometer 1606 (or the voltage output by the potentiometer 1606).

In view of this relationship, the controller 70 may be configured to store voltage values that represent different positions of the lid portion 24 including the fully closed position and the fully open position and one or more of the various phases between the fully closed position and the fully open position. The controller 70 can periodically (e.g., every 0.1ms, every 1ms, etc.) or substantially continuously measure the voltage output by the potentiometer 1606 and compare the voltage to a stored voltage as the motor 78 drives the cover portion 24. For example, the potentiometer 1606 may output a first voltage when the cover portion 24 is closed and the potentiometer 1606 may output a second voltage greater than the first voltage when the cover portion 24 is open (or vice versa). When comparing the voltages, if the controller 70 determines that the measured voltage is less than or equal to the first voltage, the controller 70 may determine that the lid portion 24 is fully closed and send a command to deactivate the motor 78. Likewise, if the controller 70 determines that the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the second voltage, the controller 70 may determine that the lid portion 24 is fully opened and send a command to deactivate the motor 78. In some embodiments, when the controller 70 senses from the potentiometer 1606 that the cover is approaching a fully open or fully closed position, the controller 70 may slow or slow the motor 78 to avoid a forceful or loud closing or opening.

Thus, in some embodiments, the controller 70 may: (a) periodically or substantially continuously measuring the voltage output of an electronic component (such as potentiometer 1606) and comparing the measured voltage to a stored voltage; and/or (b) directly measure movement of the cover portion (such as by measuring rotation or other movement of mechanical components of the cover assembly itself, such as the shaft 80) without the use of a separate movement detection system, such as a marking system or optical measurement system. In some embodiments (such as embodiments using an electronic detector such as a potentiometer), the controller 70 can determine the position of the cover portion 24 when measuring the voltage output by the potentiometer 1606 on a substantially continuous basis, rather than merely at discrete positions (e.g., fully closed, fully open, or any position between fully closed and fully open). Also, in some such embodiments, because the position of the lid is measured directly from the mechanical components that move the lid itself, the risk of the lid opening system separating or sliding or misreading from the lid position detection location is very low. On the other hand, some systems may use a marker or other indicia that is separate from the mechanical components (e.g., the marking members 92, 94) that track the position of the lid portion 24 upon opening the lid as described above. However, in some embodiments of these systems, the position of the cover portion 24 is determined only at discrete locations (e.g., locations associated with the marking member). Therefore, when the marking member is not between the position sensor and the intermediate sensor 128, the position of the cover portion 24 may not be determined. In some cases, it may be important to make an accurate determination of the position of the lid portion 24 because the trash can assembly can use the position determination to determine when to turn off the motor 78 to prevent damage or malfunction (e.g., the motor 78 can be turned off when the lid portion 24 is in a fully open or fully closed position). In some cases, the motor 78 may operate to move the cover portion 24, but an obstruction or a user may prevent movement of the cover portion 24. Because the motor 78 is running, the lid portion 24 is not moving and there is no flag member between the position sensor and the intermediate sensor 128, the actual position of the lid portion 24 is unknown. When in fact the cover part 24 is not in the determined position due to obstruction or user, the controller may determine that the cover part 24 is in the particular position based on the time the motor 78 has been running, the number of revolutions of the motor 78, and/or the like. To address this problem, some systems may have to run a reset operation. In a reset operation, some embodiments of such systems may require a user to fully close the lid portion 24 so that the actual position of the lid portion 24 is known. Once the lid portion 24 is in the fully closed position, the trash can assembly can resume lid opening and closing operations. By using a sensor system such as a potentiometer 1606 that is more directly connected to the component of the open cover, such a trash can assembly 20 can be used without running a reset operation in the event that movement of the cover portion 24 is impeded or prevented by the user. In some embodiments, given the relationship between the potentiometer 1606, the shaft 80, and the cover portion 24, the voltage output by the potentiometer 1606 changes only when the position of the cover portion 24 changes. Thus, even if the motor 78 is impeded or prevented by the user from moving the cover portion 24 to the open or closed position, the controller 70 can use the voltage output by the potentiometer 1606 to accurately determine the position of the cover portion 24.

The controller 70 may store the voltage and perform the comparison for any type of potentiometer. For example, potentiometer 1606 can be a linear potentiometer, a logarithmic potentiometer, and/or the like.

LED indicating part

As shown in fig. 10B and 10C, the cover portion 24 can include one or more indicators 150 (e.g., LED indicators). For example, the indicator 150 may display a particular color of light, such as a green light, when the cover portion 24 is open. As another example, the indicator 150 may display a particular color of light based on the amount of power remaining so the user knows when to recharge the power source 66 (e.g., a red light may indicate low power). In another example, the indicator 150 may provide a light source when the trashcan assembly 20 is used in the dark.

The indicator 150 can indicate whether an object is detected by the sensor assembly 102 in the sensing region 130 and/or the sensing region 132 and/or provide notification that the lid portion 24 can be closed within a particular period of time. For example, when the lid portion 24 is open (e.g., because the receiver 114 detects a signal transmitted by one or more of the transmitters 112a-d that has been reflected off of a target), the trashcan assembly 20 activates the indicator 150 (e.g., causes the indicator 150 to display a particular color of light). The trash can assembly 20 deactivates the indicator 150 when the target is no longer detected in at least one of the sensing zones 130, 132 (e.g., the receiver 114 does not detect a signal reflected off the target). As described herein, the cover portion 24 may remain open for a predetermined period of time before being moved to the closed position when the target is no longer detected. When the sensor assembly 102 again detects the target before the lid portion 24 is closed, the indicator 150 may be reactivated (and the lid portion 24 may remain open). Thus, the deactivation indicator 150 may serve as a notification that the sensor assembly 102 no longer detects an object and that the lid portion 24 may close if an object is not detected before the expiration of the predetermined period of time. Thus, the user may use the indicator 150 as a guide to determine whether the sensor assembly 102 detects a user and/or whether the user needs to change positions to hold the lid portion 24 open.

The indicator 150 may be positioned on the bottom of the lid portion 24 such that the indicator 150 is visible only when the lid portion 124 is in the open position. In some embodiments, the exterior of the trash can assembly is simply clean without any push button switches and/or indicators. As shown in fig. 10B and 10C, the indicator 150 may be positioned at the periphery of the cover portion 24. In some embodiments, the cover portion 24 can include an upper cover 24a that is secured to a lower cover 24b (see fig. 10A-10C). The one or more indicators 150 may be powered by the power source 66 via a cable extending between the upper and lower covers 24a, 24 b.

Controlling lid position

As previously discussed, the trash can assembly 20 can implement algorithms that direct various actions such as opening and closing of the lid portion 24, triggering the ready mode and the hyper mode, or other actions. In general, the algorithm may include evaluating one or more of the received signals and, in response, determining whether to provide an action. In some embodiments, the algorithm determines whether to provide an action in response to receiving signals from at least two sensors, such as opening the lid portion 24 in response to signals from at least two transmitters (e.g., transmitter 112d and at least one of transmitters 112 a-c). In certain variations, the algorithm determines whether to open the lid portion 24 in response to an object being detected in a particular location or combination of locations, such as in sensing region 130 and sensing region 132. Some embodiments are configured to open the lid portion 24 in response to an object being detected in a particular sequential position, such as an object being detected in the sensing region 130 and an object being subsequently or simultaneously detected in the sensing region 132. Particular implementations are configured to determine whether the detected target is transient or temporary, which may indicate that the detected target is not intentionally triggering operation of the trash can assembly 20 (e.g., a person walking by the trash can assembly 20). For example, some embodiments may estimate whether a detected object is detected for less than a particular period of time and/or whether a detected object is moving through at least one of the sensing regions (e.g., region 132) at greater than or equal to a maximum speed. If the target of the detection is momentary or temporary, the algorithm may determine that the lid portion 24 should not be opened in response to such detection.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example algorithmic process 1400 to control the position of the cover portion 24. The process 1400 may be performed by the controller 70 of the trash can assembly 20 as described above (e.g., in conjunction with fig. 9A-9D). The method may be implemented in part or in whole by software modules of the controller 70 (e.g., a lid position controller) or elsewhere in the trash can assembly 20, such as by one or more processors executing logic in the controller 70. In some embodiments, the controller 70 includes one or more processors in electronic communication with at least one computer-readable memory storing instructions for execution by at least one processor of the controller 70, wherein the instructions cause the trash can assembly 20 to implement the process 1400.

In some embodiments, process 1400 begins with block 1402 in which a signal is transmitted using a first transmitter, such as transmitter 112d (e.g., a substantially vertical transmitter). In some embodiments, in block 1402, the trash can assembly 20 is in a ready mode state as discussed above. In some embodiments, the transmitter 112D is configured to transmit a signal generally upward from the upper surface 102a of the sensor assembly 102 (e.g., an upper portion of the trashcan assembly 20 between about 0 ° to about 10 ° from the top surface of the trashcan assembly 20, such as shown in fig. 9C and 9D). In some embodiments, in block 1402, the transmitters 112a-c do not transmit signals. In other embodiments, the transmitters 112a-C also transmit signals in block 1402.

As shown, process 1400 may include block 1404 for making a determination of whether a target is detected, such as in area 130 b. For example, receiver 114 may determine whether a reflected signal is detected in response to a signal transmitted by transmitter 112d (and provide such an indication to controller 70), which may indicate that an object is in sensing region 130 b. When no target is detected, process 1400 returns to block 1402. However, when a target is detected, the process 1400 continues to block 1406 where the lid portion 24 is opened. For example, in response to an object being detected in the area 130b, the controller 70 may send a signal to the motor to open the cover portion 24.

In block 1406, information regarding the background or ambient light of the environment in which the trashcan assembly 20 is used may be received and processed using one or more sensors and one or more algorithms. For example, before the cover portion 24 is opened, it can be determined whether the trash can assembly 20 is being used in a bright environment, such as ambient sunlight. The controller 70 may be configured to determine whether the receiver 114 is receiving the optical signal substantially continuously. For example, if the receiver 114 typically receives a signal over a period of 800 microseconds and has about ten to twelve or more information dropouts (dropouts) during that period, it may be assumed that the trash can assembly 20 is exposed to bright ambient light such as sunlight. As such, the controller 70 may be configured to avoid analyzing the output of the receiver 114. The trash can assembly 20 can also include a light sensor such as a photodiode that measures the lux level of the ambient light. The lux levels may be sent to the controller 70 on a continuous basis. If a sudden change in lux level occurs within a certain period of time (e.g., because someone turns on a light or the sun begins to shine on the trash can assembly 20) while or near while the target is detected in block 1404 (e.g., within 1ms, within 1 second, etc.), it can be assumed that the trash can assembly 20 is exposed to bright ambient light. If in block 1406 it is determined that the trash can component 20 is in a bright environment, the process 1400 may return to block 1402 and repeat. On the other hand, if it is determined in block 1406 that the trash can assembly 20 is not reporting aberrations in detecting ambient light, process 1400 may move to block 1408.

In some embodiments, process 1400 moves to block 1408, which may include generating first and second sensing regions 130, 132 (e.g., substantially vertical and substantially horizontal sensing regions). For example, emitter 112d may continue to produce sensing region 130 and emitters 112a-c may produce second sensing region 132. In particular embodiments, block 1408 includes beginning to transmit signals from transmitters 112 a-c. In some implementations, in block 1408, the trash can component 20 can enter the hyper mode as discussed above. For example, as discussed above, the sensing range of the first sensing region 130 may be increased.

As shown, process 1400 may include a block 1410 of making a determination of whether an additional target detection event has occurred. For example, the trash can assembly 20 can determine whether an object has been detected in at least one of the sensing regions 130, 132. If additional object detection events have occurred, process 1400 may return to block 1408 where first and second sensing regions 130, 132 are generated.

If additional target detection events have not occurred, process 1400 may continue to block 1412. In some embodiments, process 1400 includes a timer or delay before moving to block 1412. For example, process 1400 may include determining that additional object detection events occur for at least a predetermined amount of time, such as at least about: not yet occurred within 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, or 4 seconds. This may allow the user to briefly leave the sensing region 130, 132 without the process 1400 continuing to block 1412.

In some embodiments, block 1412 includes closing the lid portion 24 and/or returning to a ready mode. For example, the controller 70 may send a signal to the motor to close the lid portion 24. In a particular implementation, block 1412 includes reducing the extent of the first sensing region 130 and/or reducing or eliminating the extent of the second sensing region 132. In some embodiments, block 1412 includes reducing or ceasing operation of the transmitters 112 a-c. As shown, process 1400 may return to block 1402.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example algorithmic process 1500 to control the position of the cover portion 24. The process 1500 may be performed by the controller 70 of the trashcan assembly 20 as described above (e.g., in connection with fig. 9A-9D). The method may be implemented in part or in whole by software modules of the controller 70 (e.g., a lid position controller) or elsewhere in the trash can assembly 20, such as by one or more processors executing logic in the controller 70. In some embodiments, the controller 70 includes one or more processors in electronic communication with at least one computer-readable memory storing instructions for execution by at least one processor of the controller 70, wherein the instructions cause the trash can assembly 20 to implement the process 1500.

In some embodiments, process 1500 begins at block 1502 where a signal is transmitted using a first transmitter, such as a substantially vertical transmitter. For example, the controller 70 may command the vertical transmitter to transmit a signal. The vertical transmitter may be a transmitter 112D that transmits a signal generally upward from the upper surface 102a of the sensor assembly 102 (e.g., an upper portion of the trashcan assembly 20 between about 0 ° to about 10 ° from the top surface of the trashcan assembly 20, such as shown in fig. 9C and 9D). In some embodiments, in block 1502, the sensor assembly 102 is in the ready mode and the transmitters 112a-c do not transmit signals.

As shown, process 1500 may include block 1504 where a determination is made whether a target is detected. For example, receiver 114 determines whether a reflected signal is detected in response to a signal transmitted by transmitter 112d (and provides such an indication to controller 70), which may indicate that an object is in sensing zone 130 b.

When no targets are detected, process 1500 returns to block 1502. However, when a target is detected, process 1500 continues to block 1506. In a particular embodiment, block 1506 includes activating the hyper mode, which may include increasing the extent of the sensing range of the first transmitter as discussed above. In some embodiments, block 1506 includes starting a first timer. For example, the timer may be a timer or counter implemented by the controller 70 or a mechanical timer and the first timer expires or flashes after a first predetermined period of time (e.g., about 1 second, about 5 seconds, etc. or time based on the time it takes the transmitters 112a-d to transmit a predetermined number of signals). Detection of the target transitions the sensor assembly 102 to the hyper mode. The first timer represents a time that the sensor assembly 102 is waiting to detect a target in the sensing region 132 in the hyper mode before transitioning back to the ready mode.

Process 1500 may include block 1508 where the signal is transmitted using a first transmitter and a second transmitter, such as a substantially vertical transmitter and a substantially horizontal transmitter. For example, the controller 70 may command the horizontal transmitter to transmit a signal. The horizontal emitters may be emitters 112a-C that emit signals generally outward from the front surface 102b of the sensor assembly 102 (e.g., in front of the trashcan assembly 20 at between about 80 ° to about 90 ° from the top surface of the trashcan assembly 20, such as shown in fig. 9C and 9D). The vertical and horizontal transmitters may transmit signals in sequence such that the two transmitters do not transmit signals at the same time. At block 1508, each transmitter may transmit a single signal. In some embodiments, the horizontal transmitter transmits signals instead of the vertical transmitter. For example, in some embodiments, the receiver 114 may be configured to detect whether a target is in the sensing region 132, which may make the vertical transmitter unnecessary to operate during certain time periods.

As shown, a determination is made in block 1510 whether the first timer has expired. If the first timer has expired, process 1500 returns to block 1502 where the first timer is reset (e.g., to a value before being started). For example, if the first timer expires, this may indicate that no target is detected in the sensing region 132 (e.g., because the user inadvertently moved to the ready mode sensing region 130b and/or because the user did not intend to open the lid portion 24). In various embodiments, the sensor assembly 102 may transition back to the ready mode when the process 1500 returns to block 1502.

If the first timer has not expired, process 1500 continues to block 1512 where a determination is made whether a target is detected in response to transmitting a signal by the horizontal transmitter. For example, controller 70 uses information provided by receiver 114 to determine whether an object is detected in sensing region 132. If no target is detected, process 1500 returns to block 1508. For example, if no target is detected, transmitters 112a-c may continue to transmit signals in an attempt to detect a target in sensing region 132 before the expiration of the first timer.

If the target is detected in block 1512, process 1500 continues to block 1514 where a second timer is started. For example, the second timer may be a timer or counter or mechanical timer implemented by the controller 70 and the second timer expires or flashes after a second predetermined period of time (e.g., about 0.5 seconds, about 1 second, etc., or a time based on the time it takes the transmitters 112a-d to transmit a predetermined number of signals). When a target is initially detected in the sensing region 132, the controller 70 determines whether the target remains in the sensing region 132 for a period of time before opening the lid portion 24. This may help determine whether the target detected in the sensing region 132 is transient. By waiting before opening the cover portion 24 (to see that an object was detected within the time period of the second timer), the process 1500 may reduce the chance that the cover portion 24 will be opened prematurely and/or unintentionally, such as may otherwise occur, when someone simply walks by the trash can assembly 20. In some implementations, the second timer represents a period of time that the target will be held in the sensing region 132 before the controller 70 causes the lid portion 24 to open.

As shown, process 1500 continues to block 1516 where the signal is transmitted using vertical and horizontal transmitters. As described above, the vertical and horizontal transmitters may transmit signals sequentially such that the two transmitters do not transmit signals simultaneously. At block 1516, each transmitter may transmit a single signal. In some embodiments, the horizontal transmitter transmits signals instead of the vertical transmitter. For example, the receiver 114 may be configured to detect whether an object has been held in the sensing region 132 for a period of time, and it may not be necessary to use a vertical transmitter.

The process 1500 continues to block 1518 where a determination is made whether a target is detected in response to transmitting a signal by the horizontal transmitter. For example, controller 70 uses information provided by receiver 114 to determine whether an object is detected in sensing region 132. If no target is detected, process 1500 returns to block 1502 and the first and second timers are reset (e.g., to respective values before being started). For example, if an object is no longer detected in sensing region 132, controller 70 may determine that the object detected in sensing region 130b and/or sensing region 132 is transient and/or unintentional. As described above, in response to the process 1500 returning to block 1502, the sensor assembly 102 can transition back to the ready mode.

If the target continues to be detected, process 1500 continues to block 1520 where a determination is made whether the second timer has expired. If the second timer has not expired, process 1500 returns to block 1516. For example, if the second timer has not expired, controller 70 continues to determine whether the target continues to remain in sensing zone 132 by causing transmitters 112a-c to continue to transmit signals for target detection.

If the second timer has expired, the process 1500 continues to block 1522 where the lid portion 24 is opened. For example, when the second timer has expired, this indicates that the target has remained in the sensing region 132 for a minimum period of time. Thus, the controller 70 determines that the detected object is not instantaneous or unintentional and opens the cover portion 24.

In block 1522, before the lid portion 24 is opened, it may be determined whether the trashcan assembly 20 is detecting optical aberrations, such as in the manner described above with respect to fig. 14. If it is determined in block 1522 that the trash can assembly 20 is detecting optical aberrations, the process 1500 can return to block 1502 and repeat without opening the lid portion 24. On the other hand, if it is determined in block 1522 that the trash can assembly 20 is not detecting optical aberrations, the process 1500 may move to block 1524 after opening the lid portion 24.

As shown, process 1500 may continue to block 1524 where the signal is transmitted using vertical and horizontal transmitters. As described above, the vertical and horizontal transmitters may transmit signals sequentially such that the two transmitters do not transmit signals simultaneously. At block 1524, each transmitter may transmit a single signal. The transmitters 112a-d may transmit signals to provide the controller 70 with information as to whether to close the lid portion 24 or to hold the lid portion 24 open. For example, when the period of time elapses, the controller 70 may command the lid portion 24 to close without detecting a target in the sensing region 130 and/or the sensing region 132.

Once the signal is transmitted using the vertical and/or horizontal transmitters, the process 1500 continues to block 1526 where a determination is made whether a target is detected. If a target is detected, process 1500 returns to block 1524. For example, detection of an object causes the controller 70 to determine that the lid portion 24 should remain open and the transmitters 112a-d should continue to transmit signals for object detection.

If no target is detected, process 1500 continues to block 1528 where a third timer is started. For example, the third timer may be a timer or counter or mechanical timer implemented by the controller 70 and the third timer expires or flashes after a third predetermined period of time (e.g., about 1 second, about 5 seconds, etc., or time based on the time it takes the transmitters 112a-d to transmit a predetermined number of signals). In some instances, someone may temporarily leave the vicinity of the trash can assembly 20, but may still wish to keep the lid portion 24 open. Therefore, the third timer represents a time when the controller 70 waits when no object is detected before closing the lid portion 24.

Process 1500 may continue to block 1530 where the signal is transmitted using vertical and horizontal transmitters. As described above, the vertical and horizontal transmitters may transmit signals sequentially such that the two transmitters do not transmit signals simultaneously. At block 1530, each transmitter may transmit a single signal. Before the third timer expires, transmitters 112a-d may transmit signals to provide controller 70 with information regarding whether the target has returned to sensing zone 130 or sensing zone 132.

Once the signal is transmitted using the vertical and/or horizontal transmitters, the process 1500 continues to block 1532 where a determination is made whether a target is detected. If a target is detected, process 1500 returns to block 1524 and the third timer is reset (e.g., to the value before being started). For example, detection of an object causes the controller 70 to determine that the object has returned to the sensing region 130 or sensing region 132, the lid portion 24 should remain open, and the transmitters 112a-d should continue to transmit signals for object detection.

If no target is detected, the process 1500 continues to block 1534 where a determination is made as to whether the third timer has expired. If the third timer has not expired, process 1500 returns to block 1530. For example, if the third timer has not expired, controller 70 continues to determine whether the object has returned to sensing region 130 or sensing region 132 by causing emitters 112a-d to continue to emit signals for object detection.

If the third timer has expired, the process 1500 continues to block 1536 where the cover portion 24 is closed. For example, if the third timer expires, the controller 70 determines that a sufficient amount of time has elapsed since the target was last detected and the lid portion 24 can be closed. As shown, process 1500 may return to block 1502 and the first, second, and third timers may be reset (e.g., to their respective values before being started). In various implementations, the sensor assembly 102 may transition back to the ready mode.

Dirty lens compensation

A user may introduce dirt or other contaminants (e.g., dust, grease, liquid droplets, or otherwise) onto the lens cover 104. For example, during the process of placing wet, messy waste (e.g., coffee grounds) into the trash can assembly 20, some of the waste may splash onto the lens cover 104. Dirt or other contaminants may block signals from one or more of the emitters 112a-d from reaching the sensing regions 130b, 132 b. Conversely, dirt or other contaminants may reflect a signal to the receiver 114, which may cause a false positive (e.g., a false indication that a target is in one of the sensing regions 130, 132). False alarms may result in a delay in closing the lid portion 24 and/or maintaining the lid portion 24 in the open position. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly 20 are configured to reduce or avoid such problems, such as by adjusting one or more parameters that account for the degree of contamination of the lens cover 104.

In some embodiments, the trash can assembly 20 can include a lens calibration mode process that detects and/or adjusts to account for dirt or other contaminants on the lens cover 104. The processing may be performed by an algorithm included in the controller 70. In some embodiments, the process is the same as or similar to process 1300 described above in connection with the environmental calibration and fig. 13. The lens calibration mode process may include any one or any combination of the features of process 1300. For example, similar to the discussion above, the trash can assembly 20 can detect the presence of fixed contaminants (e.g., dust) on the lens cover 104 and can make adjustments (e.g., to a sensing threshold) to compensate for the contaminants.

In some embodiments, the lens calibration mode process begins with a periodic scan, such as a scan of the lens cover 104. Such scanning may occur with or without user initiation or interaction. For example, in the auto-calibration mode, the controller 70 may send commands at set time intervals (e.g., hourly, daily, weekly, etc.) to initiate the lens calibration mode. The automatic periodic scanning allows the trash can assembly 20 to continuously and/or automatically monitor the ability of the signal to pass through the lens cover 104 and update the sensing threshold accordingly. In some embodiments, the controller 70 may include an algorithm configured to send a command to initiate the lens calibration mode based on user input. For example, the trash can assembly 20 can include a button that a user can operate to manually activate the lens calibration mode, such as during or after adding trash to the trash can assembly 20. In some embodiments, the controller 70 is configured to automatically send a command to initiate the lens calibration mode in response to a user manually moving the cover (e.g., opening or closing it). For example, when the cover is improperly held open due to dirt on the lens cover 104, the user may manually close the cover, which may automatically trigger the lens calibration mode.

As described above, in a normal (e.g. clean) state of the lens cover 104, signals transmitted from the transmitters 112a-d may pass through the lens cover 104, reflect off an object in one of the sensing regions 130, 132 and be received by the receiver 114. However, when the lens cover 104 is dirty, contaminants on the lens cover 104 may block the passage of some or all signals, such as those signals that attempt to pass through a particular portion of the lens cover 104. This blocked signal may be reflected off of the contaminant and received by the receiver 114, thereby providing a false positive (false positive) that the target is in one of the sensing regions 130, 132.

Various embodiments include determining whether a target detection event is a false positive. For example, some embodiments make this determination using close-up measurements in one or more sensing regions of the trash can assembly 20. The close-up measurement, which represents the distance between the trash can assembly 20 and the detected object, can be determined in various ways. For example, the close-up measurement may be determined based at least in part on a time difference between the transmitted and received signals. In some embodiments, if the close-up measurement is less than a certain amount (e.g., less than 0.5 inches), the trash can assembly 20 determines that the detection is targeted to be a false positive, such as because of contamination on the lens cover 104. In a particular implementation, a target detection event is determined to be a false positive if it occurs consistently (e.g., constantly) in a portion of at least one of the sensing regions 130, 132, as may be the case with contaminants on the lens cover 104. In some embodiments, a target detection event is determined to be a false positive if the controller 70 determines that the detected target is stationary or substantially stationary in one of the sensing regions 130, 132 for at least a certain period of time (e.g., at least about 1 minute), such as may be the case with a contaminant on the lens cover 104.

In some embodiments, the controller 70 takes corrective action in response to the target detection event being determined to be a false positive. For example, the controller 70 may filter out and/or ignore false target detection events. This may facilitate normal operation of the lid portion 24 such as allowing the lid portion 24 to close. In some variations, if the object detection event is determined not to be a false positive (e.g., moving in one of the sensing regions 130, 132 or otherwise not indicating a contaminant on the lens cover 104), the trash can assembly 20 processes the object detection event in logic for moving the cover portion 24 as described above or otherwise.

Voice activation

In some embodiments, the trash can assembly 20 can actuate one or more features of the trash can assembly 20, such as opening and/or closing the lid portion 24, using an audio sensor, such as an audio sensor configured to sense one or more voice commands or other sounds (e.g., claps, paprs, or otherwise) received from a user. In some embodiments, the audio sensor may be the only sensor used to actuate the trash can assembly 20 or the audio sensor may be used with one or more other sensors such as one or more movement or proximity detectors (e.g., as described elsewhere in this specification). With respect to the audio sensor, the memory in the controller 70 may store data representing one or more keywords or sounds. The keyword or sound (also referred to herein as a wake word or code word) may be a word associated with a particular action or state of the trash can component 20. When the trashcan assembly 20 detects a particular keyword or sound, the trashcan assembly 20 can take a corresponding action (e.g., open the lid portion 24, close the lid portion 24, hold the lid in an open position, etc.) and/or transition to a corresponding state (e.g., transition to a hold open mode or transition to a hold closed mode described in more detail below).

The rear housing 56, the sensor assembly 102, and/or any other portion of the trash can assembly 20 can include a microphone. For example, the microphone may be disposed on a substantially outer portion of the trash can assembly 20 (e.g., rear wall 28, front wall 30, etc.). In some embodiments, at least a portion of the microphone is exposed outside of the trash can. In other embodiments, the microphone is not exposed outside of the trash can, and a hard or soft grill may be coupled with the microphone to protect the microphone while still allowing sound to pass from outside the trash can to the microphone. The microphone may capture sound such as utterances spoken by or uttered by the user. Once captured, the microphone may convert the sound into an electrical audio signal representative of the captured sound and transmit the electrical audio signal to the controller 70.

Using instructions and/or algorithms stored in the memory, one or more of the processors of controller 70 may perform speech recognition on the received electrical audio signal to determine any words that may have been spoken. The processor may then compare the identified word to the one or more keywords (e.g., using data representing the one or more keywords stored in memory) to determine if there are any matches. Thus, the processor may perform a comparison of the captured audio with the known keywords to determine if the user has spoken any of the known keywords. If the recognized word does not match the keyword, then controller 70 takes no action. If the recognized word matches the keyword, controller 70 may perform an action and/or transition to a state associated with the keyword. For example, if the processor determines that the user has spoken a keyword associated with opening the lid portion 24 or uttered a sound associated with opening the lid portion 24 (e.g., "open lid" or "open trash can," etc.), the controller 70 may cause the motor 78 to move the lid portion 24 to the open position. Likewise, if the processor determines that the user speaks a keyword associated with closing the lid portion 24 or sounds a sound associated with closing the lid portion 24 (e.g., "close lid" or "close trash can," etc.), the controller 70 may cause the motor 78 to move the lid portion 24 to the closed position. As another example, if the processor determines that the user has spoken a keyword or uttered a sound (e.g., "hold open" or "task mode," etc.) associated with the desire to hold the lid portion 24 open for an extended period of time, the controller 70 may (while the lid portion 24 is closed) cause the motor 78 to move the lid portion 24 to the open position or not cause the motor 78 to move the lid portion 24 to the closed position, even if no target is detected by a component of the sensor assembly 102 for an extended period of time or indefinitely. In some embodiments, the extended period of time may be at least about 20 seconds, or at least about 30 seconds, or at least about one minute, etc. Likewise, if the processor determines that the user speaks a keyword or sounds associated with a desire to hold the lid portion 24 closed for an extended period of time (e.g., "hold closed" or "closed mode," etc.), then to avoid inadvertently triggering opening of the trash can assembly 20 when someone works around or is otherwise near the trash can assembly 20 for some other reason other than placing trash, the controller 70 may (while the lid portion 24 is open) cause the motor 78 to move the lid portion 24 to the closed position or not cause the motor 78 to move the lid portion 24 to the open position, even if the object is detected by a component of the sensor assembly 102 for an extended period of time. In some embodiments, the lid portion 24 may remain open or closed until a repeated or different keyword is emitted or sounded (e.g., a keyword associated with the closing or opening of the lid portion 24), until a predetermined period of time (e.g., at least about 1 minute, at least about 5 minutes, etc.) has elapsed, and/or the like. It is contemplated that the electronic controller of the trashcan assembly 20 can use any type of position detection or motion detection or voice detection or any combination of these detection modes, including any of the position detection or motion detection or voice detection disclosed herein, to actuate any of the functions described herein.

In some embodiments, the keywords identified by the trash can component 20 are preset. For example, data representing the keywords may be stored in memory during assembly and/or manufacture of the trash can assembly 20.

In some embodiments, the keywords identified by the trash can component 20 are user-defined. For example, the trash can assembly 20 can include buttons, switches, or other such user input components that, when enabled, cause the trash can assembly 20 to enter a training mode. In the training mode, the display or screen of the trash can component 20 can identify the action or status of the trash can component 20 and prompt the user to speak keywords that will then be associated with the action or status. The microphone may capture keywords spoken by the user and transmit a representative electrical audio signal to the controller 70. The controller 70 may perform speech recognition on the electrical audio signal to generate data representing the spoken keyword, which may be stored in memory for later use. The trash can component 20 can repeat this process for any number of actions or states that may be associated with the keyword. Further, the trash can assembly 20 can repeat this process for multiple users. Different users may speak the same word in different ways (e.g., with different accents, tones, speeds, tempos, etc.), so it may be useful to store multiple pronunciations of a single keyword to improve the accuracy of speech recognition and thus the actions performed by the trash can assembly 20. The memory may store one or more pronunciations for a single keyword, any number of which may be compared to the recognized word during the speech recognition process.

In some embodiments, the trash can assembly 20 can include a wireless communication component that allows the trash can assembly 20 to wirelessly receive keyword information from a user device. The wireless communication components may include an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna, and associated circuitry. The antenna may be disposed at a substantially outer portion of the trashcan assembly 20 (e.g., rear wall 28, front wall 30, sensor assembly 102, rear side enclosure 56, etc.). In some embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna is exposed to an exterior of the trash can. The antenna may be positioned in a manner that avoids signal interference when the cover portion 24 changes position. The antenna may transmit signals received from the transceiver and receive signals transmitted by the user device. The antenna forwards signals received from the user device to the transceiver.

The transceiver may be located anywhere within the interior of the trash can assembly. For example, the transceiver may be a chip included within the controller 70. The transceiver may packetize data for transmission over the antenna and depacketize data received over the antenna. The transceiver can be capable of communicating over various networks such as a cellular network, a network using IEEE 802.11 protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi), using Bluetooth

A network of protocols and/or the like. The transceiver may forward the unpacked data to the controller 70 for processing and/or storage.

The user device may be any electronic device. For example, user devices may include a variety of computing devices, including personal computing devices, terminal computing devices, laptop computing devices, tablet computing devices, electronic reader devices, mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones, media players, handheld gaming devices, etc.), wearable devices with network access and program execution capabilities (e.g., "smart watches" or "smart glasses"), wireless devices, home automation devices (e.g., "smart thermostats" or "smart meters"), set-top boxes, gaming machines, entertainment systems, televisions with network access and program execution capabilities (e.g., "smart televisions"), and other various electronic devices and appliances. The user device may be equipped with software or "applications" configured to enable the user device and/or the trash can assembly 20 to perform the functions, tasks, and/or steps described and/or illustrated herein.

For example, using an application, a user can establish a connection between a user device and the trashcan assembly 20 (e.g., by communicating through a wireless communication component). The application may then be used to train the trash can assembly 20. The application may generate a user interface for display on a screen of the user device that identifies an action or state of the trash can assembly 20 and prompts the user to speak keywords that will then be associated with the action or state. In some embodiments, a microphone of the user device captures a user-spoken keyword, and the user device performs speech recognition to generate data representing the spoken keyword. The resulting data is then transmitted through the antenna, transceiver and/or associated circuitry to the controller 70 for storage in memory. The generated data may also be stored locally on the user device (e.g., by storing the generated data locally, the user device may be used to program multiple trash can assemblies 20 without requiring the user to repeat the training process). In some embodiments, a microphone of the user device captures the user-uttered keyword, and a representative electrical audio signal is transmitted to the controller 70 via an antenna, transceiver, and/or associated circuitry. Representative electrical audio signals may also be stored locally on the user device, for example to allow a user to program multiple trash can assemblies 20 without having to repeat the training process. Then, the controller 70 performs voice recognition to generate data representing the uttered keyword and stores the generated data in the memory. The application may repeat this process for any number of actions or states that may be associated with the keyword. Further, the application may repeat this process for multiple users. As described above, different users may speak the same word in different ways (e.g., with different accents, tones, speeds, tempos, etc.), so it may be useful to store multiple pronunciations of a single keyword to improve the accuracy of speech recognition and thus the actions performed by the trash can assembly 20. The memory may store one or more pronunciations for a single keyword, any number of which may be compared to the recognized word during the speech recognition process.

In some embodiments, the wireless communication component may also be used to obtain keyword data from information sources (e.g., the internet, home systems, etc.). The key data may be stored in memory for later use.

In particular embodiments, the voice recognition capability and the object detection capability of the trash can assembly 20 can work in concert to determine when to actuate one or more functions of the trash can assembly 20, such as when to close and/or open the lid portion 24. For example, FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary algorithmic process 1900 for controlling the position of the lid section 24. The process 1900 may be performed by the controller 70 of the trashcan assembly 20 as described above. The method may be implemented in part or in whole by a software module of the controller 70 (e.g., a lid position controller) or elsewhere in the trash can assembly 20, such as by one or more processors executing logic in the controller 70. In some embodiments, the controller 70 includes one or more processors in electronic communication with at least one computer-readable memory storing instructions for execution by at least one processor of the controller 70, wherein the instructions cause the trashcan assembly 20 to perform the process 1900. Process 1900 begins at block 1902.

As shown, process 1900 moves to block 1904 where the signal is transmitted using a first transmitter, such as transmitter 112d (e.g., a substantially vertical transmitter). In some embodiments, in block 1904, the trash can assembly 20 is in a ready mode state as discussed above. In some embodiments, the transmitter 112D is configured to transmit a signal generally upward from the upper surface 102a of the sensor assembly 102 (e.g., at an upper portion of the trashcan assembly 20 between about 0 ° to about 10 ° from the top surface of the trashcan assembly 20, such as shown in fig. 9C and 9D). In some embodiments, in block 1904, the transmitters 112a-c do not transmit signals.

As shown, process 1900 may include block 1906, which may include making a determination of whether a target is detected, such as in area 130 b. For example, receiver 114 may determine whether a reflected signal is detected in response to a signal transmitted by transmitter 112d (and provide such an indication to controller 70), which may indicate that an object is in sensing region 130 b. If the target is not detected, process 1900 moves to block 1908. However, if a target is detected, process 1900 continues to block 1910.

At block 1908, a determination is made whether the lid portion 24 is open. For example, even if no target is detected, the lid portion 24 may still be open if the user speaks a keyword associated with the opening of the lid portion 24. If the lid is closed, process 1900 moves to block 1920. Otherwise, the process 1900 moves to block 1918 to close the lid portion 24 and then proceeds to block 1920.

As shown, a determination is made in block 1910 whether the lid portion 24 is closed. For example, as described above, if a user issues a keyword to cause the lid portion 24 to open, the lid portion 24 may be open even before an object is detected in both of the sensing regions 130 and 132. If the lid portion 24 is closed, the process 1900 moves to block 1912 to open the lid portion 24 and then proceeds to block 1914. For example, in response to an object being detected in the area 130b, the controller 70 may send a signal to the motor to open the cover portion 24. However, if the lid portion 24 is already open, the process 1900 proceeds directly to block 1914.

In block 1912, before the cover portion 24 is opened in the manner described above with respect to fig. 14, it may be determined whether the trash can assembly 20 is being used in a bright environment, such as ambient sunlight. If in block 1912 it is determined that the trash can assembly 20 is in a bright environment, the process 1900 can return to block 1904 and repeat without opening the lid portion 24. On the other hand, if it is determined in block 1912 that the trashcan assembly 20 is not in a bright environment, the process 1900 may move to block 1914 after opening the cover portion 24.

In some embodiments, process 1900 moves to block 1914, which may include generating first and second sensing regions 130, 132 (e.g., substantially vertical and substantially horizontal sensing regions). For example, emitter 112d may continue to generate sensing region 130 and emitters 112a-c may generate second sensing region 132. In a particular embodiment, block 1914 includes beginning to transmit signals from the transmitters 112 a-c. In some embodiments, in block 1914, the trash can component 20 can enter the hyper mode as discussed above. For example, the sensing range of the first sensing region 130 may be increased as discussed above.

As shown, process 1900 may include block 1916, which may include making a determination of whether an additional object detection event has occurred. For example, the trash can assembly 20 can determine whether an object has been detected in at least one of the sensing regions 130, 132. If additional object detection events have occurred, process 1900 may return to block 1914 where first and second sensing regions 130, 132 are generated.

If an additional target detection event has not occurred, process 1900 may continue to block 1918. In some embodiments, process 1900 includes a timer or delay before moving to block 1918. For example, process 1900 may include determining that, for at least a predetermined amount of time, such as at least about: no additional target detection events have occurred within 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, or 4 seconds. This may allow the user to briefly leave the sensing region 130, 132 without process 1900 continuing to block 1918.

As described above, block 1918 includes closing the lid portion 24 and/or returning to the ready mode. For example, the controller 70 may send a signal to the motor to close the lid portion 24. In a particular embodiment, block 1918 includes reducing the extent of the first sensing region 130 and/or reducing or eliminating the extent of the second sensing region 132. In some embodiments, block 1918 includes reducing or ceasing operation of the transmitters 112 a-c.

In some embodiments, process 1900 moves to block 1920 where a determination is made as to whether a first voice command was detected. For example, the first voice command may be a keyword or a wake-up word associated with opening the lid portion 24. The controller 70 can perform speech recognition on an utterance made by the user to determine whether the utterance corresponds to a first voice command. If the first voice command is detected, the process 1900 moves to block 1922 to open the lid portion 24 as verbally instructed by the user. However, if the first voice command is not detected, process 1900 returns to block 1904. Thus, even when no object is detected in the sensing region 130 and/or the sensing region 132, speech recognition can be used to open the cover portion 24.

In block 1922, it may be determined whether the trashcan assembly 20 is being used in a bright environment, such as ambient sunlight, before the cover portion 24 is opened in the manner described above with respect to fig. 14. If in block 1922 it is determined that the trashcan assembly 20 is in a bright environment, the process 1900 may return to block 1904 and repeat without opening the lid portion 24. On the other hand, if it is determined in block 1922 that the trashcan assembly 20 is not in a bright environment, the process 1900 may move to block 1914 after opening the cover portion 24.

While the process 1900 is described herein with respect to opening a key associated with the lid portion 24, this is not meant to be limiting. Any keywords associated with any action or condition may be used in conjunction with the target detection capabilities of the sensor assembly 102 in a similar manner as opening and/or closing the lid portion 24. In decision block 256, it may be determined whether the trash can 20 is being used in a bright environment, such as ambient sunlight. For example, the microcontroller 110 may be configured to determine whether the optical receiver 94 is substantially continuously receiving an optical signal. For example, if the light receiver 94 receives a signal over a period of 800 microseconds and has more than about 10-12 spots during this period, it may be assumed that the trash can 20 is being exposed to bright ambient light such as sunlight. In this way, the microcontroller 110 may be configured to avoid analyzing the output of the optical receiver 94. If it is determined in decision block 256 that the trash can 20 is in a bright environment, the control routine 250 can return to operation block 252 and repeat. On the other hand, if it is determined in decision block 256 that the trash can 20 is not in a bright environment, the control program 250 may move to operation block 258.

While the disclosure provided herein relates to a trash can assembly, this is not meant to be limiting. For example, the features, structures, methods, techniques, and other aspects described herein may be implemented with baskets, crates, boxes, baskets, drums, containers, bottles, cans, buckets, or any other case or container that may include a removable lid.

Terminology and summary

Although a trashcan assembly has been disclosed in the context of particular embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of trashcans and obvious variations and equivalents thereof. Additionally, while some variations of the trash can have been shown and described in detail, other variations within the scope of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, a gear assembly and/or an optional torque transmitting component may be included. For example, in some embodiments, the trash can assembly 20 includes a gear assembly. Some embodiments of the gear assembly include a speed reducer (e.g., greater than or equal to about 1: 5, 1: 10, 1: 50, values in between, or any other speed reducer that will provide the desired characteristics) that can vary the rotational speed applied to the shaft 80, clutch member 84, and/or other components. Some embodiments of interacting with a target are discussed above. The target may be a body or part of a body of a person, an item worn, held or manipulated by a person, an item of an environment (e.g. furniture) or otherwise.

For purposes of illustration, the term "lateral" as used herein is defined as a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane or surface of the floor using the described apparatus or performing the described method regardless of the area in which it is oriented. The term "floor" is interchangeable with the term "floor". The term "perpendicular" refers to a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction as just defined. Terms such as "above," "below," "bottom," "top," "side," "higher," "lower," "upper," "upward," "above," and "below" are defined with respect to the horizontal.

Conditional language such as "may", "might", or "may" is generally intended to convey that a particular embodiment includes particular features, elements, and/or steps and other embodiments do not include particular features, elements, and/or steps, unless specifically stated otherwise or as otherwise understood in the context of use. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required by one or more embodiments.

The terms "approximately," "about," and "substantially" as used herein mean an amount that is close to the stated amount, which still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, in some embodiments, the terms "approximately", "about", and "substantially" may refer to an amount within a range less than or equal to 10% of the stated amount, as the context may dictate. The term "substantially" as used herein means a value, amount, or characteristic that includes or is intended to be primarily specific to the value, amount, or characteristic. By way of example, in particular embodiments, the term "substantially perpendicular" may refer to a deviation from perfect parallelism of less than or equal to 20 °, as the context may dictate.

While specific embodiments and examples have been described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many aspects of the containers shown and described in this disclosure may be combined and/or altered differently to form yet further embodiments or acceptable examples. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. A wide variety of designs and methods are possible. The features, structures, or steps disclosed herein are not required or essential.

Any of the methods and tasks described herein can be performed by a computer system and fully automated. In some cases, a computer system may include multiple different computers or computing devices. Each such computing device typically includes a processor (or multiple processors) that executes program instructions or modules stored in memory or other non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or devices (e.g., solid state storage devices, disk drives, etc.). The various functions disclosed herein may be embodied in such program instructions and/or may be implemented in application specific circuitry (e.g., an ASIC or FPGA) of a computer system. Where the computer system includes a plurality of computing devices that may, but need not, cooperate together. The results of the disclosed methods and tasks may be stored persistently by transforming physical storage devices, such as solid state memory chips and/or magnetic disks, into different states.

Depending on the embodiment, certain acts, events, or functions of any of the processes or algorithms described herein may be performed in a different order and may be added, combined, or omitted entirely (e.g., not all described operations or events may be necessary for the implementation of the algorithm). Further, in particular embodiments, operations or events may be performed concurrently, e.g., through multi-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or multiple processors or processor cores or other parallel structures, rather than sequentially.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, programs, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware (e.g., an ASIC or FPGA device), computer software running on general purpose computer hardware, or combinations of both. To illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as dedicated hardware or software executing on general purpose hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. The described functionality may be implemented in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

Further, the various illustrative logical blocks and modules described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a machine designed to perform the functions described herein, such as the following: general purpose processor devices, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinations thereof. A general purpose processor device may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor device may be a controller, microcontroller, or state machine, combinations thereof, or the like. The processor device may include circuitry configured to process computer-executable instructions. In another embodiment, the processor device includes an FPGA or other programmable device that performs logic operations without processing computer-executable instructions. A processor device may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Although primarily described herein with respect to digital techniques, the processor device may also include primarily analog components. For example, some or all of the algorithms described herein and executed by the controller 70 may be implemented in analog circuitry or mixed analog and digital circuitry. The computing environment may include any type of computer system including, but not limited to, a microprocessor-based computer system, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, a portable computing device, a device controller, or a compute engine within a device, to name a few.

The elements of a method, process, program or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor device, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor device such that the processor device can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor device. The processor device and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a trash can assembly. In the alternative, the processor device and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in the trash can assembly.

Some embodiments have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are drawn to scale, but such scale should not be construed as limiting. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily have the exact relationship of actual dimensions and layout of the illustrated devices. Components may be added, removed, and/or rearranged. Moreover, any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, property, element, etc. disclosed herein in connection with various embodiments may be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, it will be recognized that any of the methods described herein may be practiced using any apparatus suitable for performing the recited steps.

For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Moreover, although illustrative embodiments have been described herein, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the scope of any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, variations, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations based on the present disclosure. The definitions in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. Further, the actions of the disclosed processes and methods may include any manner of altering the reordering actions and/or inserting additional actions and/or deleting actions. It is intended, therefore, that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims and their full scope of equivalents.

Claims (16)

1. A trash can assembly, comprising:

a body portion;

a cover portion pivotally coupled with the body portion;

a sensor assembly coupled to the body portion for detecting target movement, the sensor assembly including a controller, a first transmitter, a second transmitter, and a receiver, wherein a transmission axis of the first transmitter is perpendicular to a transmission axis of the second transmitter, the first transmitter configured to transmit a first signal vertically upward to produce a first area, the second transmitter configured to transmit a second signal horizontally outward to produce a second area; and is

Wherein the controller comprises one or more hardware processors and is configured to:

commanding the first transmitter to transmit a first signal;

receiving, from the receiver, a first indication that a target is detected in the first region;

in response to receiving the first indication, command the second transmitter to begin transmitting a second signal; and

transmitting a command to an electrically operated drive mechanism in response to receiving the first indication, wherein the command causes the electrically operated drive mechanism to move the lid portion from a closed position to an open position,

wherein the first emitter has a vertically extending emission axis and the second emitter has a horizontally extending emission axis,

wherein the first region is a region vertically extending from an upper surface of the sensor component, and the second region is a region horizontally extending from a side surface of the sensor component, and

wherein the trashcan assembly is configured such that detection of an object in the second region will not cause the cover portion to be opened without first, simultaneously, or shortly after detection of an object in the first region.

2. The trashcan assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

receiving a second indication from the receiver indicating that the target or another target is detected in the first area or the second area;

in response to the second indication not being received after a predetermined period of time, transmitting another instruction to the electrically operated drive mechanism, wherein the other instruction causes the electrically operated drive mechanism to move the lid portion from the open position to the closed position; and

in response to the second indication not being received after the predetermined period of time, command the second transmitter to stop transmitting the second signal.

3. The trashcan assembly of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to command the second transmitter to not transmit any signal before the first indication is received.

4. The trashcan assembly of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to transmit the first indication in response to receiving a reflection of the first signal.

5. The trashcan assembly of claim 1, wherein:

in a first state, the first region comprises a ready-mode region; and

in a second state, the first region comprises a hyper-mode region extending beyond the ready-mode region;

the receiver is configured to transmit the first indication in response to detecting the target in the ready-mode region.

6. The trashcan assembly of claim 1, wherein the second region forms a beam angle of at least 60 °, wherein the beam angle is measured from a periphery of the second region to a central axis of the second region.

7. The trashcan assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly further comprises a third transmitter and a fourth transmitter, and wherein the controller is further configured to command the second transmitter to transmit the second signal, command the third transmitter to transmit a third signal, and command the fourth transmitter to transmit a fourth signal in response to receiving the first indication.

8. A computer-implemented method for determining a position of a lid portion of a trashcan assembly, the method comprising:

generating a first command instructing a first transmitter of a sensor assembly to transmit a first signal, wherein the trash can assembly includes the sensor assembly, the sensor assembly to detect movement of an object;

receiving, from a receiver of the sensor assembly, a first indication that a target is detected in a first region;

in response to receiving the first indication, generating a second command instructing a second transmitter of the sensor assembly to transmit a second signal, wherein a transmission axis of the first transmitter is vertical and a transmission axis of the second transmitter is horizontal; and

in response to receiving the first indication, generating a third command commanding an electrically operated drive mechanism, wherein the third command causes the electrically operated drive mechanism to move the lid portion from a closed position to an open position;

the method is performed under control of program instructions executed by one or more computing devices,

wherein the first transmitter is configured to transmit the first signal vertically upward to produce a first region; the second transmitter is configured to transmit the second signal horizontally outward to produce a second region;

wherein the first region is a region vertically extending from an upper surface of the sensor component, and the second region is a region horizontally extending from a side surface of the sensor component, and

wherein the trashcan assembly is configured such that detection of an object in the second region will not cause the cover portion to be opened without first, simultaneously, or shortly after detection of an object in the first region.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a second indication from the receiver indicating that the target or another target is detected in the first area or the second area; and

in response to the second indication indicating that the object or the other object is detected in the first area or the second area, generating a fourth command commanding the electrically operated drive mechanism to move the cover portion from the open position to the closed position.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, further comprising:

in response to the second indication indicating that the object or the other object is detected in the first area or the second area, generating a fifth command instructing a second transmitter to stop transmitting the second signal.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, further comprising commanding the second transmitter to not transmit any signal before the first indication is received.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the first region comprises a ready-mode region and a hyper-mode region extending beyond the ready-mode region; and wherein receiving a first indication comprises receiving the first indication in response to detecting the target in the ready-mode region.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the second region forms a beam angle of at least 60 °, wherein the beam angle is measured from a periphery of the second region to a central axis of the second region.

14. A trash can assembly, comprising:

a body portion including a top end, a bottom end, a sidewall, and an interior cavity;

a cover portion coupled with a top end of the body portion, the cover portion including a cover and a motor configured to move the cover between an open position and a closed position;

a sensor assembly for detecting target movement, comprising:

a first transmitter configured to transmit a first signal vertically upward to generate a first area;

a second transmitter configured to transmit a second signal horizontally outward to generate a second region;

a receiver configured to receive one or more reflected signals comprising the first signal or the second signal reflected off a target in the first area or the second area; and

a lens cover positioned over the first emitter, the second emitter, and the receiver;

a controller operatively connected with the sensor assembly and the motor;

the trashcan assembly is configured such that in response to the receiver receiving one or more reflected signals, the trashcan assembly moves the lid from the closed position to the open position, an

The trash can assembly is further configured to detect the presence of contaminants on the lens cover,

wherein the first emitter has a vertically extending emission axis and the second emitter has a horizontally extending emission axis,

wherein the first region is a region vertically extending from an upper surface of the sensor component, and the second region is a region horizontally extending from a side surface of the sensor component, and

wherein the trashcan assembly is configured such that detection of an object in the second region will not cause the cover portion to be opened without first, simultaneously, or shortly after detection of an object in the first region.

15. The trash can assembly of claim 14, wherein the trash can assembly is configured to detect the presence of contaminants on the lens cover by determining whether a close measurement to a detected target is less than a threshold distance.

16. The trashcan assembly of claim 15, wherein the threshold distance is less than 0.5 inches.

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