Sensor for dispensing system

Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for improving performance of a dispensing system are provided herein. The dispensing system may comprise an emitter and a detector. The emitter may be configured to transmit light (e.g., and/or one or more other signals). The detector may be configured to measure light, for example. The detector may determine a first measurement of light while the emitter is not transmitting light. The detector may determine a second measurement of light responsive to the emitter transmitting light. The detector may determine a third measurement of light based upon a comparison of the first measurement of light with the second measurement of light. The detector may be direct current (DC) coupled while determining the third measurement of light.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The instant application is generally directed towards a dispensing system for dispensing a material, such as a liquid, powder, aerosol, or other types of materials. For example, the instant application is directed to a sensor, for a dispensing system, that utilizes light for triggering the dispensing system.

BACKGROUND

Many locations, such as hospitals, factories, restaurants, homes, etc., utilize dispensing systems to dispense material. For example, a dispensing system may dispense a liquid material, powder material, aerosol material, and/or other materials (e.g., soap, anti-bacterial gels, cleansers, disinfectants, lotions, etc.). Some dispensing systems utilize a sensor to determine when to dispense material.

SUMMARY

Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for improving performance of a (e.g., dispensing) system are provided herein. In some embodiments, the system may comprise an emitter. The emitter may be configured to transmit light (e.g., and/or one or more other signals). In some embodiments, the system may comprise a detector. The detector may be configured to measure light, for example. The detector may determine a first measurement of light while the emitter is not transmitting light. The detector may be alternating current (AC) coupled while determining the first measurement of light. The detector may determine a second measurement of light responsive to the emitter transmitting light. The detector may be AC coupled while determining the second measurement of light. The detector may determine a third measurement of light based upon a comparison of the first measurement of light with the second measurement of light. For example, when the comparison indicates that a difference between the first measurement of light and the second measurement of light is less than a threshold, the third measurement of light may be determined. It may be appreciated that the comparison may indicate a probability that the detector is unable to discern light transmitted from the emitter from ambient light. The detector may be direct current (DC) coupled while determining the third measurement of light.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a dispensing system100for dispensing a material. The dispensing system100may comprise a housing102configured to hold a detector104and an emitter106. The detector104and the emitter106may, in combination, operate as a sensor to determine when to perform a dispense event. For example, the emitter106may be configured to transmit light, and the detector104may be configured to detect at least some of the light transmitted by the emitter106. The light may be transmitted at a first frequency (e.g., the emitter106may transmit light every50microseconds). When the detector104detects at least some of the light transmitted by the emitter106(e.g., within a threshold amount of time), a determination may be made that a dispense event does not need to be performed. When the detector104does not detect at least some of the light transmitted by the emitter106(e.g., within the threshold amount of time), the dispense event may be performed. The detector104may not detect at least some of the light transmitted by the emitter106due to a hand150(e.g., or other body part of a user) blocking the light transmitted from the emitter106and thereby blocking the light transmitted from the emitter106from reaching the detector104. The dispense event may comprise dispensing material via a dispenser nozzle108of the dispensing system100(e.g., onto the hand150).

The housing102may comprise various mechanical and/or electrical components that facilitate operation of the dispensing system100, such as one or more components that dispense material. For example, the housing102may comprise a motor and/or a gear train used to dispense material during the dispense event. During the dispense event, the dispenser nozzle108, the motor, the gear train, and/or other components may dispense material, where any one or more of which may be powered, at least in part, by a traditional power source (e.g., power from an outlet or a battery) and/or by thermal energy harvested from a user.

It may be appreciated that in some embodiments, the detector104may not be able to detect at least some of the light transmitted by the emitter106, even if the hand150does not block the light transmitted from the emitter106from reaching the detector104. For example, if ambient light (e.g., sunlight, light from a nearby light bulb, etc.) shines on the detector104, one or more photodiodes of the detector104may become saturated and/or the detector104may become unable to detect at least some of the light transmitted by the emitter106. It may be appreciated that in some embodiments, the inability of the detector104to detect at least some of the light transmitted by the emitter106may cause the dispense event to be performed when the dispense event may not be desired. For example, the dispense event may be performed even though the hand150is not located near the dispenser nozzle108, which may cause the dispenser nozzle108to dispense material on the housing102and/or on the detector104. The performance of the dispense event due to a “false positive” caused by the inability of the detector104to detect at least some of the light transmitted by the emitter106may be wasteful (e.g., of material) as well as inconvenient (e.g., messy), and therefore may be undesirable.

FIG. 2illustrates an example of an implementation of the dispensing system100which may be used to determine whether the detector104is able or unable to discern light transmitted from the emitter106from ambient light. As inFIG. 1, the dispensing system100may comprise the housing102, the detector104, the emitter106and the dispenser nozzle108. The dispensing system100may also comprise a power supply204. The detector104may be coupled to the power supply204. In some embodiments, the detector104may be connected to the power supply204via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The detector104may be alternating current (AC) coupled202. The detector104may determine a first measurement of light. The first measurement of light may be determined while the emitter106is not transmitting light. The first measurement of light may be determined while the detector104is AC coupled202.

FIG. 3illustrates an example of an implementation of the dispensing system100which may be used to determine whether the detector104is able or unable to discern light transmitted from the emitter106from ambient light. As inFIG. 2, the dispensing system100may comprise the housing102, the detector104, the emitter106, the dispenser nozzle108and the power supply204. The emitter106may transmit light302. The detector104may determine a second measurement of light. The second measurement of light may be determined responsive to the emitter106transmitting the light302. The second measurement of light may be determined while the detector104is AC coupled202.

FIG. 4illustrates an example of an implementation of the dispensing system100which may be used to determine whether the detector104is able or unable to discern light transmitted from the emitter106from ambient light. As inFIG. 3, the dispensing system100may comprise the housing102, the detector104, the emitter106, the dispenser nozzle108and the power supply204. The detector104may determine a third measurement of light. The third measurement of light may be determined while the emitter106is not transmitting light. Alternatively, the third measurement of light may be determined responsive to the emitter106transmitting light. The third measurement of light may be determined while the detector104is direct current (DC) coupled402.

The third measurement of light may be determined based upon a comparison of the first measurement of light with the second measurement of light. For example, the third measurement of light may be determined when the comparison indicates that a difference between the first measurement of light and the second measurement of light is less than a threshold. In another example, if the comparison indicates that the difference between the first measurement of light and the second measurement of light exceeds the threshold, the third measurement of light may not be determined.

It may be appreciated that the comparison may indicate that a probability that the detector104is unable to discern light transmitted from the emitter106from ambient light may exceed a probability threshold, for example, if the comparison indicates that a difference between the first measurement of light and the second measurement of light is less than the threshold. Based on this possible inability to discern light transmitted from the emitter106from ambient light, the third measurement may be determined to be useful. For example, the third measurement may be used to determine with greater accuracy and/or confidence whether the detector104is likely to be unable to discern light transmitted from the emitter106from ambient light. The comparison may indicate that the probability that the detector104is unable to discern light transmitted from the emitter106from ambient light may be less than the probability threshold, for example, if the comparison indicates that the difference between the first measurement of light and the second measurement of light exceeds the threshold. When the probability that the detector104is unable to discern light transmitted from the emitter106from ambient light is less than the probability threshold, the third measurement of light may be determined to be unnecessary, and may therefore not be determined (e.g., to conserve power, etc.), for example.

Once the third measurement of light is determined, a (e.g., conclusive) determination may be made as to whether the detector104is able or unable to discern light transmitted from the emitter106from ambient light. For example, the third measurement may be used to determine if an absence of an (e.g., expected) signal associated with the detector104is due to saturation of the detector104with the ambient light. In some examples, the third measurement of light may indicate that the ambient light exceeds a brightness threshold. Responsive to the third measurement of light indicating that the ambient light exceeds the brightness threshold, a determination may be made that the detector104is (e.g., probably) unable to discern light transmitted from the emitter106from ambient light. As a result, the dispensing system100may disable performance of one or more dispense events (e.g., for a set period of time, until a determination is made that the detector104is able to discern light transmitted from the emitter106from ambient light, etc.). Responsive to the third measurement of light indicating that the ambient light does not exceed the brightness threshold, a determination may be made that the detector104is (e.g., probably) able to discern light transmitted from the emitter106from ambient light. As a result, the dispensing system100may not disable performance of one or more dispense events.

FIG. 5illustrates an example of a dispensing system500. The system500may comprise the detector104, the power supply204, a controller502, an AC coupling component518, a resistor504, a voltage source506, a capacitor508, a resistor510, a voltage source512, a diode514and/or a motor516. The controller502may be associated with the detector104. The controller502may comprise a microcontroller. The controller502may comprise one or more pins, which may comprise pin1, pin2, pin3and/or pin4.

Pin1of the controller502may be connected to the AC coupling component518. The AC coupling component518may comprise the resistor504, the voltage source506, the capacitor508, the resistor510and/or the voltage source512. Pin1of the controller502may be connected to the resister504and/or the capacitor508. The resistor504may be connected to the voltage source506and/or the capacitor508. The voltage source506may be ground. The capacitor508may be connected to the resistor510and/or the diode514. The resistor510may be connected to the voltage source512and/or the diode514. The voltage source512may be ground. The diode514may be connected to the power supply204. In some embodiments, the diode514may serve as the detector104. In some embodiments, when the diode514serves as the detector104, the diode514may be connected to the power supply204via an ADC. It may be appreciated that the connection of pin1of the controller502to the power supply204via and/or in association with the AC coupling component518may provide for an AC coupling (e.g., of the controller502and/or the detector104). It may be appreciated that the connection of pin1of the controller502to the power supply204via and/or in association with the resistor504, the voltage source506, the capacitor508, the resistor510, the voltage source512and/or the diode514may provide for an AC coupling (e.g., of the controller502and/or the detector104).

Pin2of the controller502may be connected to the diode514, the capacitor508and/or the resistor510. The diode514may be connected to the power supply204. It may be appreciated that the connection of pin2of the controller502to the power supply204via and/or in association with the diode514may provide for a DC coupling (e.g., of the controller502and/or the detector104).

Pin3of the controller502may be connected to the detector104. Pin4of the controller502may be connected to the motor516. The detector104may be connected to the motor516. In some embodiments, Pin3may be connected to (e.g., drive) the emitter106(e.g., rather than the detector104). The emitter106may or may not be connected to the motor516. It may be appreciated that in some examples, when the first measurement of light is determined (e.g., as discussed in association withFIG. 2) and/or when the second measurement of light is determined (e.g., as discussed in association withFIG. 3), Pin1of the controller502may be used to AC couple the controller502and/or the detector104. It may be appreciated that in some examples, when the third measurement of light is determined (e.g., as discussed in association withFIG. 4), Pin2of the controller502may be used to DC couple the controller502and/or the detector104. In some examples, when Pin1is used, Pin2may not be used. In some examples, when Pin2is used, Pin1may not be used. In some examples, Pin1and Pin2may be used concurrently. The motor516may be used to dispense material during a dispense event.

FIG. 6illustrates an example of a method600. The method600starts at602. At604, a first measurement of light may be determined. The first measurement of light may be determined while an emitter is not transmitting light. The first measurement of light may be determined using a detector. The first measurement of light may be determined while the detector is AC coupled. At606, a second measurement of light may be determined. The second measurement of light may be determined responsive to the emitter transmitting light. For example, the second measurement of light may be determined while the emitter is transmitting light, and not while the emitter is not transmitting light. The second measurement of light may be determined using the detector. The second measurement of light may be determined while the detector is AC coupled. It may be appreciated that the first measurement of light may be determined before the second measurement of light is determined.

At608, a third measurement of light may be determined. The third measurement of light may be determined based upon a comparison of the first measurement of light with the second measurement of light. For example, the third measurement of light may be determined when the comparison indicates that a difference between the first measurement of light and the second measurement of light is less than a threshold. In another example, if the comparison indicates that the difference between the first measurement of light and the second measurement of light exceeds the threshold, the third measurement of light may not be determined. The third measurement of light may be determined using the detector. The third measurement of light may be determined while the detector is DC coupled. It may be appreciated that the second measurement of light may be determined before the third measurement of light is determined. It may further be appreciated that the first measurement of light may be determined before the third measurement of light is determined. The method600ends at610.

It may be appreciated that a transfer of signals of a device may depend on whether the device is AC coupled or DC coupled. For example, if a device is AC coupled, the device may be associated with a transfer of (e.g., merely) AC signals (e.g., and not DC signals). In another example, if the device is DC coupled, the device may be associated with a transfer of AC signals and/or DC signals.

Still another embodiment involves a computer-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured to implement one or more of the techniques presented herein. An example embodiment of a computer-readable medium or a computer-readable device that is devised in these ways is illustrated inFIG. 7, wherein the implementation700comprises a computer-readable medium708, such as a CD-R, DVD-R, flash drive, a platter of a hard disk drive, etc., on which is encoded computer-readable data706. This computer-readable data706, such as binary data comprising at least one of a zero or a one, in turn comprises a set of computer instructions704configured to operate according to one or more of the principles set forth herein. In some embodiments, the processor-executable computer instructions704are configured to perform a method702, such as at least some of the exemplary method600ofFIG. 6, for example. In some embodiments, the processor-executable instructions704are configured to implement a system, such as at least some of the exemplary system100ofFIG. 1, at least some of the exemplary system200ofFIG. 2, at least some of the exemplary system300ofFIG. 3, at least some of the exemplary system400ofFIG. 4and/or at least some of the exemplary system500ofFIG. 5, for example. Many such computer-readable media are devised by those of ordinary skill in the art that are configured to operate in accordance with the techniques presented herein.

Many modifications may be made to the instant disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter. Unless specified otherwise, “first,” “second,” or the like are not intended to imply a temporal aspect, a spatial aspect, an ordering, etc. Rather, such terms are merely used as identifiers, names, etc. for features, elements, items, etc. For example, a first channel and a second channel generally correspond to channel A and channel B or two different or two identical channels or the same channel.