IP Library Granted Patent US 10,539,513
Granted Patent B2
US 10,539,513 · App. 16/186,906 · Granted Jan 21, 2020

Waste detection

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,539,513
App. No.
16/186,906
Granted
Jan 21, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for waste object detection. For example, a waste alert component is configured to emit ultraviolet light towards a waste detection zone, such as a bathroom floor or countertop. If a waste object, such as a paper towel or other object with a fluoresce property, exists within the waste detection zone, then the waste alert component may detect an increase in light due to the waste object fluorescing visible light in response to the ultraviolet light. If the increase in light intensity exceeds a detection threshold, then the waste alert component may provide a waste detection alert that the waste object exists within the waste detection zone (e.g., a message may be sent to a housekeeper that paper towel waste in on the bathroom countertop).

Claims (55)

1. A system for waste object detection, comprising:

a photo detector configured to measure light intensity of light impinging on the photo detector; and

a waste identification component configured to:

calibrate a detection threshold based upon a surface type of a surface within a waste detection zone;

determine a light intensity change based upon an initial light intensity measurement by the photo detector and a subsequent light intensity measurement by the photo detector; and

responsive to the light intensity change exceeding the detection threshold, provide a waste detection alert that a waste object exists within the waste detection zone.

2. The system of claim 1 , the waste identification component configured to:

send the waste detection alert to a user through at least one of an email, a text message, a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal, a wireless signal, an audible alert, a visible alert, or a mobile device alert.

3. The system of claim 1 , the waste detection zone corresponding to at least one of a surface of a bathroom countertop or a floor of a bathroom.

4. The system of claim 1 , the waste identification component configured to:

display the waste detection alert within a map interface depicting a building within which a waste alert component is located.

5. A system for waste object detection, comprising:

a photo detector configured to measure light intensity of light impinging on the photo detector; and

a waste identification component configured to:

determine a light intensity change based upon an initial light intensity measurement by the photo detector and a subsequent light intensity measurement by the photo detector;

evaluate the initial light intensity measurement to determine whether an ambient light source is on or off;

normalize a detection threshold based upon whether the ambient light source is on or off; and

responsive to the light intensity change exceeding the detection threshold, provide a waste detection alert that a waste object exists within a waste detection zone.

6. The system of claim 5 , the waste identification component configured to:

send the waste detection alert to a user through at least one of an email, a text message, a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal, a wireless signal, an audible alert, a visible alert, or a mobile device alert.

7. The system of claim 5 , the waste detection zone corresponding to at least one of a surface of a bathroom countertop or a floor of a bathroom.

8. The system of claim 5 , the waste identification component configured to:

display the waste detection alert within a map interface depicting a building within which a waste alert component is located.

9. A system for waste object detection, comprising:

a photo detector configured to measure light intensity of light impinging on the photo detector; and

a waste identification component configured to:

determine a light intensity change based upon an initial light intensity measurement by the photo detector and a subsequent light intensity measurement by the photo detector;

determine a detection threshold based upon a fluoresce effect of a type of waste object to be detected; and

responsive to the light intensity change exceeding the detection threshold, provide a waste detection alert that a waste object exists within a waste detection zone.

10. The system of claim 9 , the waste identification component configured to:

send the waste detection alert to a user through at least one of an email, a text message, a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal, a wireless signal, an audible alert, a visible alert, or a mobile device alert.

11. The system of claim 9 , the waste detection zone corresponding to at least one of a surface of a bathroom countertop or a floor of a bathroom.

12. The system of claim 9 , the waste identification component configured to:

display the waste detection alert within a map interface depicting a building within which a waste alert component is located.

13. A system for waste object detection, comprising:

a photo detector configured to measure light intensity of light impinging on the photo detector; and

a waste identification component configured to:

perform a sequence of detection cycles, a first detection cycle comprising an initial light intensity measurement by the photo detector and a subsequent light intensity measurement by the photo detector;

determine one or more light intensity change based upon the sequence of detection cycles; and

responsive to a threshold number of light intensity changes exceeding a detection threshold during the sequence of detection cycles, provide a waste detection alert that a waste object exists within a waste detection zone, otherwise, refrain from providing the waste detection alert.

14. The system of claim 13 , the waste identification component configured to:

send the waste detection alert to a user through at least one of an email, a text message, a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal, a wireless signal, an audible alert, a visible alert, or a mobile device alert.

15. The system of claim 13 , the waste detection zone corresponding to at least one of a surface of a bathroom countertop or a floor of a bathroom.

16. The system of claim 13 , the waste identification component configured to:

display the waste detection alert within a map interface depicting a building within which a waste alert component is located.

17. A system for waste object detection, comprising:

a photo detector configured to measure light intensity of light impinging on the photo detector; and

a waste identification component configured to:

determine a light intensity change based upon an initial light intensity measurement by the photo detector and a subsequent light intensity measurement by the photo detector, the subsequent light intensity measurement corresponding to visible light fluoresced from a waste object based upon ultraviolet light; and

responsive to the light intensity change exceeding a detection threshold, provide a waste detection alert that the waste object exists within a waste detection zone.

18. The system of claim 17 , the waste identification component configured to:

send the waste detection alert to a user through at least one of an email, a text message, a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal, a wireless signal, an audible alert, a visible alert, or a mobile device alert.

19. The system of claim 17 , the waste detection zone corresponding to at least one of a surface of a bathroom countertop or a floor of a bathroom.

20. The system of claim 17 , the waste identification component configured to:

display the waste detection alert within a map interface depicting a building within which a waste alert component is located.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL, RECORDED ON OCTOBER 27, 2023 AT REEL 065382 FRAME 0587 Recorded Apr 22, 2026
From: SILVER POINT FINANCE, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 075435/0852 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2026
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 074903/0480 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2023
From: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: SILVER POINT FINANCE, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065382/0587 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2023
From: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 065369/0253 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2019
From: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 051228/0667 →