The present disclosure relates generally to a sensor system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a sensor system for use in home devices.
Traditionally, sensor systems have been subject to signal crosstalk between an emitting sensor and a receiving sensor. That is, the receiving sensor has traditionally received photons that were incidentally reflected prior to reaching a target object. Signal crosstalk affects a distance measurement where the recorded distance is closer than the target distance. Typically, signal crosstalk occurs at a lens surface, where the incident rays may both reflect and refract at, or within, the lens.
In bathroom or kitchen applications, condensation has been commonly known to increase the potential or severity of signal crosstalk, inadvertently leading to a false actuation of a device. To combat this issue, mechanical blockers may be used to obstruct the signal crosstalk such to minimize the potential for signal crosstalk to occur. However, the opportunity exists for additional improvements, especially with regard to crosstalk resulting from condensation. The present disclosure addresses these concerns.
At least one embodiment relates to a sensor system for use in home devices. The sensor system includes a housing and a lens carrier at least partially disposed within the housing. The lens carrier defines a cylindrical structure including a number of receptacles disposed at a midpoint of the lens carrier. The number of receptacles are configured to hold a number of sensor assemblies therein. The sensor assemblies include a first sensor assembly and a second sensor assembly. The first sensor assembly includes a first sensor lens and a first sensor. The second sensor assembly includes a second sensor lens and a second sensor. The first sensor assembly is positioned proximate the second sensor assembly. The first sensor assembly is configured to emit a signal and the second sensor assembly is configured to receive the emitted signal. Positioned between the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly, and at least partially disposed around the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly, is a gasket. The gasket extends from a base of the first sensor and the second sensor to second face of the lens carrier. The gasket is configured to block an emitted signal from the first sensor assembly.
Another example embodiment relates to a sensor system for use in home devices and configured to transmit and receive a signal. The sensor system includes a housing and a lens carrier at least partially disposed within the housing. The lens carrier defines a cylindrical structure including a first face and a second face, and having a number of receptacles disposed at a midpoint of the lens carrier. The first face is defined to be a substantially smooth face and the second face includes an outer edge and an inner edge. The outer edge includes a number of mounting tabs extending perpendicular from the second face and configured to mount the lens carrier to the housing. The number of receptacles are configured to hold a number of sensor assemblies therein. The sensor assemblies include a first sensor assembly and a second sensor assembly. The first sensor assembly includes a first sensor lens and a first sensor. The second sensor assembly includes a second sensor lens and a second sensor. The first sensor assembly is positioned proximate the second sensor assembly. The first sensor assembly is configured to emit a signal and the second sensor assembly is configured to receive the emitted signal. Positioned between the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly, and at least partially disposed around the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly, is a gasket. The gasket extends from a base of the first sensor and the second sensor to second face of the lens carrier. The gasket is configured to block an emitted signal from the first sensor assembly.
Another example embodiment relates to a sensor system. The sensor system includes a housing and a lens carrier at least partially disposed within the housing. The lens carrier defines a cylindrical structure including a first face and a second face, and having a number of receptacles disposed at a midpoint of the lens carrier. The first face is defined to be a substantially smooth face and the second face includes an outer edge and an inner edge. The outer edge includes a number of mounting tabs extending perpendicular from the second face and configured to mount the lens carrier to the housing. The number of receptacles are configured to hold a number of sensor assemblies therein. The sensor assemblies include a first sensor assembly and a second sensor assembly. The first sensor assembly includes a first sensor lens and a first sensor. The second sensor assembly includes a second sensor lens and a second sensor. The first sensor assembly is positioned proximate the second sensor assembly. The first sensor assembly is configured to emit a signal into a first field of view and the second sensor assembly is configured to receive the emitted signal in a second field of view. Positioned between the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly, and at least partially disposed around the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly, is a gasket. The gasket extends from a base of the first sensor and the second sensor to second face of the lens carrier. The gasket is configured to block an emitted signal from the first sensor assembly. The first field of view is a field of view where the signal is emitted from the first sensor prior to reflecting off a target object. The second field of view is a field of view where the signal is received after reflecting off a target object.
Another example embodiment relates to a sensor system. The sensor system comprises a housing, a lens carrier having an outer face, the lens carrier including a first lens and a second lens coupled thereto, a first sensor comprising an emitter, the first sensor positioned in the housing, a second sensor comprising a receiver, the second sensor positioned in the housing and proximate the first sensor, a gasket at least partially disposed around each of the first sensor and the second sensor, a first portion of the gasket positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor, and a blocker element, wherein at least a portion of the blocker element is positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor. The lens carrier is coupleable to the housing such that lens carrier is at least partially disposed within the housing and the first lens is arranged over the first sensor and the second lens is arranged over the second sensor, the emitter is configured to emit an infrared signal through the first lens, such that the emitted infrared signal reflects off a target object and through the second lens and is received by the receiver, and the blocker element is configured to obstruct signal crosstalk between the first sensor and the second sensor.
Another example embodiment relates to a system. The system comprises an apparatus and a sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement includes: a housing operably coupled to the apparatus, a lens carrier having an outer face, the lens carrier including a first lens and a second lens coupled thereto, a first sensor comprising an emitter, the first sensor positioned in the housing, a second sensor comprising a receiver, the second sensor positioned in the housing and proximate the first sensor, a gasket at least partially disposed around each of the first sensor and the second sensor, a first portion of the gasket positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor, and a blocker element, wherein at least a portion of the blocker element is positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor. The lens carrier is coupleable to the housing such that lens carrier is at least partially disposed within the housing and the first lens is arranged over the first sensor and the second lens is arranged over the second sensor, the blocker element is configured to obstruct signal crosstalk between the first sensor and the second sensor, and the emitter is configured to emit an infrared signal through the first lens, such that the emitted infrared signal reflects off a target object and through the second lens and is received by the receiver so as to effect operation of the apparatus.
Another example embodiment relates to a system. The system comprises a first sensor arrangement including a pair of infrared sensors, a second sensor arrangement including an emitter and a receiver, and a gasket operably coupled to at least the second sensor arrangement, the gasket configured to provide a mechanical blockage between the emitter and the receiver so as to limit signal crosstalk in the sensor system. The first sensor arrangement is maintained in an operable, powered-on state and wherein the second sensor arrangement is maintained in an unpowered sleep state, the sensor system configured to cause the second sensor arrangement to be switched to an operable, powered-on state in response to detection by the first sensor arrangement of presence of an object. The emitter is configured to emit an infrared signal, such that the emitted infrared signal reflects off the object and is received by the receiver so as to control operation of an apparatus associated with the sensor system.
This summary is illustrative only and should not be regarded as limiting.
The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:
While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.
Before turning to the FIGURES, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the FIGURES. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Referring generally to the FIGURES, a sensor system 100 is disclosed according to various embodiments. The sensor system 100 is configured for use in a home environment, such as a bathroom or kitchen. The sensor system 100 may include at least one of a housing and a lens carrier positioned within the housing. The housing may encapsulate at least a portion of the lens carrier. One or more components of the sensor system 100 may be manufactured from an opaque material such to prevent the sensor system from transmitting a signal through the lens carrier. The lens carrier may have a first face and a second face, where the second face is positioned rearward the first face. The first face may be a substantially flat surface whereas the second face may include protrusions or recesses. The second face includes a number of protrusions or tabs extending perpendicular from the second face. The protrusions are configured to mount the lens carrier to the housing, where the protrusions may be recessed into a receiver. The protrusions may be radially positioned along an outer edge of the second face, where each protrusion is uniformly distanced between one another.
Coupled to the lens carrier is a number of lens. By way of example, the number of lens includes a first lens and a second lens. The first lens may be positioned proximate the second lens, where the first lens may be an emitting lens and the second lens may be a receiving lens. The first lens may be substantially similar to the second lens such that the first lens may be a receiving lens and the second lens may be an emitting lens. The first lens and the second lens may include tabs or flanges extending radially outward from the first lens and the second lens. The flanges may be configured to be locating flanges, where the flanges are placed into a groove on the second face to couple the first lens and the second lens to the lens carrier.
Positioned rearward the lens carrier, aligned with the first lens and the second lens, may be a number of sensors. The number of sensors includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor may be an emitting sensor and the second sensor may be a receiving sensor. The first sensor may be configured to emit an infrared signal through the first lens, where the infrared light reflects off a target object through the second lens and is received by the second sensor.
Positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor and the lens carrier, and at least partially disposed around the first sensor and the second sensor, is a gasket. The gasket may be manufactured out of an elastomeric material. The gasket may provide as a mechanical feature to at least prevent infrared signals from transmitting across the lens carrier causing signal crosstalk. Positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor is a blocker. The blocker may include a portion positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor, where the blocker extends a distance past the lens carrier. The blocker may be configured to obstruct signal crosstalk by providing a mechanical blockage between the first sensor and the second sensor. By way of example, the blocker may be a combination of a portion of the gasket and a portion of the lens carrier. The portion of the gasket may be the portion between the first sensor and the second sensor and the portion of the lens carrier may be a portion between the first sensor and the second sensor.
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The lens carrier 120 includes a second face 210, positioned opposite the first face 165 (shown in
The lenses 160 may be coupled to the lens carrier 120 using ultrasonic welding. That is, the lenses 160 are ultrasonically welded into the lens carrier 120 on a rearward face of the lenses 160. Ultrasonic welding is used to prevent contamination or damage to the sealing surfaces. In some embodiments, alternate methods such as adhesive, fasteners, or the like, may be used to couple the lenses 160 to the lens carrier 120.
The first face 165 of lens carrier 120 may be substantially similar to the second face 210. That is, both the first face 165 and the second face 210 may define generally circular structures. In some embodiments, the first face 165 and the second face 210 may define any geometrical configuration that facilitates in emitting and receiving a signal (e.g., cylindrical, triangular, prismatic, etc.).
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The gasket 240 may include a number of apertures of which the emitter 250 and the receiver 260 may be disposed within. By way of example, the emitter 250 may be configured to emit an infrared light and the receiver 260 may be configured to receive the infrared light emitted from the first sensor. In some embodiments, the emitter 250 and the receiver 260 may be a single sensor, where the single sensor includes at least one of an emitter and a receiver. In such an embodiment, the single sensor may include a dividing portion positioned between the emitter and the receiver. The gasket 240 may further be configured to eliminate crosstalk by preventing light, emitted from the emitter 250, from bouncing to the receiver 260. To be more precise, the gasket 240 may be configured to prevent light from reflecting off components disposed within an internal cavity of the sensor system and being received by the second sensor causing a false reading.
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Signal crosstalk, as traditionally presented, is the unwanted transfer of signals between communication devices (e.g., sensors, channels, etc.). That is, signal crosstalk is the transfer of signals from an emitting device, where the signal was reflected back to a receiver prior to reflecting off of a target object, therefore presenting a false reading. Signal crosstalk is commonly known to present a false reading in applications where there is significant open space where a false signal may transmit through. Referring now to
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Signal crosstalk, as illustrated in
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In some embodiments, blocker 280 may be positioned such that at least a portion of the blocker 280 extends a distance past the first face 165. Referring specifically to
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According to an exemplary embodiment, the first lenses 160 and the second lens 170 may be a single lens positioned over top of both the emitter 250 and the receiver 260. In such an embodiment, the single lens may include a dividing window. The dividing window may extend substantially perpendicular from the lens carrier 120 such to eliminate signal crosstalk between the emitter 250 and the receiver 260.
According to an example embodiment shown in
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Sensor system 500 provides improvements to crosstalk reduction similar to sensor system 100, due to similarities in construction and material selection. Sensor system 500 advantageously includes IR sensors 550 and 560 operable to selectively supply power to emitter 530 and receiver 540, for improved operability under battery power.
Although embodiments described herein may be configured for use in a home or residential environment, such description should be considered exemplary rather than limiting, and it will be understood the embodiments described herein may also be used in commercial environments, governmental environments, manufacturing environments, health care environments, or other such settings.
As utilized herein with respect to numerical ranges, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms generally mean+/−10% of the disclosed values, unless specified otherwise. As utilized herein with respect to structural features (e.g., to describe shape, size, orientation, direction, relative position, etc.), the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are meant to cover minor variations in structure that may result from, for example, the manufacturing or assembly process and are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.
It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as 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. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein.
The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.
Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above.
It is important to note that any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. For example, the sensor system 100 of the exemplary embodiment described in at least
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/245,604, filed on Sep. 17, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63245604 | Sep 2021 | US |