An air-conditioning apparatus includes a drain pan that receives water, and a detector including an ultrasonic sensor that emits and receives ultrasonic waves. The detector analyzes a response signal from the ultrasonic sensor to detect a contaminant generated in the drain pan. A bottom flat surface portion that forms a bottom of the drain pan is located parallel to a flat surface portion that forms a receiving surface of the ultrasonic sensor.

An object detection apparatus includes a sensor module including a sensor, and a controller that controls the sensor and generates output information, based on a signal that the sensor outputs; and a detector that determines presence or absence of the object, based on the output information. The detector executes a reference object detection process of detecting a reference object existing at a predetermined position within the detection range, by comparing the output information and predetermined reference information, and, when the reference object is detected, executes a correction process of correcting at least one of the output information or a parameter for the sensor, based on the reference information and reference object information that is information indicative of the reference object in the output information.

Techniques for presence-detection devices to emission levels of ultrasonic signals that are used to detect movement in an environment. The presence-detection devices may detect movement of a person by emitting the ultrasonic signals into an environment, and characterizing the change in the frequency, or the Doppler shift, of the reflections of the ultrasonic signals off the person caused by the movement of the person relative to the presence-detection devices. However, presence-detection devices that continuously emit ultrasonic signals may experience reduced battery life, increased likelihood of overheating, etc. To reduce these negative effects, the presence-detection devices may reduce the emission levels of ultrasonic signals. For instance, once motion is detected, the presence-detection devices may, for a period of time, stop emitting ultrasonic signals or reduce the power level at which the ultrasonic signals are emitted. Accordingly, the presence-detection devices can reduce emission levels of ultrasonic signals while still detecting motion.

Techniques for presence-detection devices to emission levels of ultrasonic signals that are used to detect movement in an environment. The presence-detection devices may detect movement of a person by emitting the ultrasonic signals into an environment, and characterizing the change in the frequency, or the Doppler shift, of the reflections of the ultrasonic signals off the person caused by the movement of the person relative to the presence-detection devices. However, presence-detection devices that continuously emit ultrasonic signals may experience reduced battery life, increased likelihood of overheating, etc. To reduce these negative effects, the presence-detection devices may reduce the emission levels of ultrasonic signals. For instance, once motion is detected, the presence-detection devices may, for a period of time, stop emitting ultrasonic signals or reduce the power level at which the ultrasonic signals are emitted. Accordingly, the presence-detection devices can reduce emission levels of ultrasonic signals while still detecting motion.

For assistance viewing an object, a computer system receives first data from a first sensor sensing an object when a user's view of at least a portion of the object is obstructed by a hand of the user. The first sensor is fixed to a first wearable device. The computer system generates an image of the obstructed portion of the object in response to the first data. An image of the obstructed portion of the object is projected onto a surface within a view of the user.

The present disclosure provides systems and techniques for determining whether a user is holding a gun. The gun may include a sensor, such as a laser proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a load cell, an accelerometer, or a biometric sensor, and the gun may determine whether a user is holding the gun based on an output generated by the sensor. A processor housed in the gun may identify activation of a proximity sensor, determine that a user is holding the gun based on the activation of the proximity sensor, and perform an action in response to determining that the user is holding the gun. The action performed by the processor may include performing a boot procedure, performing a health check procedure, visually indicating state information about the gun, audibly indicating state information about the gun, or tactilely indicating state information about the gun.

Disclose are various approaches for optimizing operation of an autonomous wireless mobile asset monitoring system. The approaches involve detecting the presence of cargo in a mobile asset. First, if energy conservation is a requirement of the system, each zone of the mobile asset is scanned until cargo is detected in one of the zones. Then, the results of the scan are transmitted to backend infrastructure. Alternatively, if energy conservation is not a requirement of the system, every zone of the mobile asset is scanned and the results of the scan are transmitted to backend infrastructure.

Disclose are various approaches for optimizing operation of an autonomous wireless mobile asset monitoring system. The approaches involve detecting the presence of cargo in a mobile asset. First, if energy conservation is a requirement of the system, each zone of the mobile asset is scanned until cargo is detected in one of the zones. Then, the results of the scan are transmitted to backend infrastructure. Alternatively, if energy conservation is not a requirement of the system, every zone of the mobile asset is scanned and the results of the scan are transmitted to backend infrastructure.

Systems and methods for calculating a plant spread and a plant density of vegetation are provided. An ultrasonic signal is transmitted towards vegetation by one or more transducers. A plurality of echo signals is received as reflections of the ultrasonic signal by the one or more transducers. A plant spread of the vegetation is calculated based on a first echo signal of the plurality of echo signals and a last echo signal of the plurality of echo signals. A plant density of the vegetation is calculated based on the plurality of echo signals. The plant spread and the plant density of the vegetation are output.

Systems and methods for calculating a plant spread and a plant density of vegetation are provided. An ultrasonic signal is transmitted towards vegetation by one or more transducers. A plurality of echo signals is received as reflections of the ultrasonic signal by the one or more transducers. A plant spread of the vegetation is calculated based on a first echo signal of the plurality of echo signals and a last echo signal of the plurality of echo signals. A plant density of the vegetation is calculated based on the plurality of echo signals. The plant spread and the plant density of the vegetation are output.