A settlement analyser and a method of analysing settlement which employs an array of emitters and at least one array of detectors, wherein the settlement analyser is configured to analyse a sample placed or otherwise located between the array of emitters and the at least one array of detectors by sequentially emitting light from the array of emitters, and detecting light which arrives at the at least one array of detectors via the sample volume. Repeating this sequence allows an optical profile of the sample to be determined as a function of time. The sequence may be a linear sequence, or it may be a non-linear sequence, and light from a particular emitter may be detected by several different detectors in order to increase the resolution of the analyser and the method. The analyser and the method may thereby identify the location of boundaries or interfaces between different layers in a sample once settled and during settlement. Furthermore, measurements obtained by the settlement analyser and method may be used to determine one or more properties of the sample, including MLSS concentration, SV30 number and SVI value. In one embodiment one or more settlement analysers may be comprised in an apparatus which may be located in a process or flow and thereby obtain and analyse samples directly from the process or flow, and in another embodiment a stand-alone analyser is able to receive and analyse samples within sample holders.

An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a print engine, a detection circuit, a switch, and a processor. The print engine is located within the main body to form an image by using a toner. The print engine generates waste toner. A waste toner container is detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus and collects the waste toner. The detection circuit includes a toner amount detection sensor to output a voltage value associated with an amount of waste toner in the waste toner container and a switch to selectively output the voltage value depending on whether the waste toner container is mounted or detached. The processor determines whether printing is available based on the voltage value outputted from the detection circuit.

An optoelectronic module for a light barrier for fill height monitoring of an ice collection container in a household ice maker includes a module housing, which bears a light passage surface located at the boundary between the optoelectronic module and the space outside the module for the passage of a beam of light of the light barrier. The module further has a printed circuit board accommodated in the module housing, an optoelectronic component mounted on the printed circuit board, serving as a light transmitter or receiver, with a main lobe axis, and a cylindrical light-guiding element for guidance of the light beam located in the beam path between the light passage surface and the optoelectronic component, and at a distance from the component.

Methods and systems for providing a resource dispenser status for a resource dispenser associated with a facility. One system includes an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to receive a set of signals. The electronic processor is also configured to compare a first signal included in the set of signals to a set of thresholds. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a resource dispenser status based on the comparison of the first signal to the set of thresholds. The electronic processor is also configured to generate and transmit the resource dispenser status to a remote device, wherein the remote device provides the resource dispenser status to a user.

An apparatus and method of determining the level of a liquid in a reservoir having curved surfaces is described, where the measuring device comprises a support having a radius of curvature conformable to the curvature of the reservoir. A float assembly is captivated to the support so that it may move freely in the vertical direction, but is constrained in rotation with respect to the support by compatible asymmetrical structural features. The float assembly includes an element that can be sensed by a sensor assembly that is positioned along the support over the length of the support encompassing the range of fluid levels to be measured.

An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a print engine, a detection circuit, a switch, and a processor. The print engine is located within the main body to form an image by using a toner. The print engine generates waste toner. A waste toner container is detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus and collects the waste toner. The detection circuit includes a toner amount detection sensor to output a voltage value associated with an amount of waste toner in the waste toner container and a switch to selectively output the voltage value depending on whether the waste toner container is mounted or detached. The processor determines whether printing is available based on the voltage value outputted from the detection circuit.

A plumb bob for detecting differing fluids in tanks and vessels includes a tubular housing having enclosed ends. An LED infrared transmitter disposed in the tubular housing transmits infrared signals through fluids in which the plum bob is immersed to a LED infrared receiver. Circuitry disposed within the housing provides power to the LEDs and operates an LED driver to determine fluid parameters for the types of fluids in which the plumb bob is immersed. One or more vibration signal generators emits different vibrations according to the types of fluids detected. The vibration signal generators transmit the vibrations from the housing through a gauge tape line to a gauge tape reel held by an operator, who can determine the fluid types by the vibrations.

A wireless drink container can monitor a person's hydration and prompt him or her to drink more if appropriate. The drink containers as described herein can monitor liquid levels and communicate with external devices about the liquid levels and rate of consumption. One or more sensors in the drink container monitor the liquid level within the container. A processor coupled to the sensor(s) estimates how much liquid has been removed from the container from changes in the liquid level and transmits a signal representing the change in liquid level to a smartphone or other external device. It also triggers an audio or visual indicator, such as an LED, that prompts the user to drink more based on the user's estimated liquid consumption and on the user's liquid consumption goals, which may be based on the user's physiology, activity level, and location.

An image forming apparatus and method for determining a toner level and providing a notification are provided. The method of operating an image forming apparatus includes counting a number of times a lower toner hopper receives toner from an in-situ refillable upper toner hopper, calculating an estimate of toner volume transferred from the lower toner hopper to a surface of a photosensitive drum, determining an amount of toner consumed from the in-situ refillable upper toner hopper based on the number of times the lower toner hopper receives toner from the in-situ refillable upper toner hopper and the estimate of toner volume transferred from the lower toner hopper to the surface of the photosensitive drum, and generating an upper toner hopper refill notification when the amount of toner consumed from the in-situ refillable upper toner hopper is determined to exceed a threshold value.

An apparatus for determining the volume of a liquid in a container. A digital camera is provided to view the container. A processor can optically detect certain characteristics of the container as viewed by the camera and accesses a computer memory having stored characteristics of a plurality of known containers, and the compare the detected certain characteristics with the stored characteristics to identify the container from the plurality of known containers. The processor can calculate the volume of the container as a function of the distance between the first and second ends of the container as viewed by the camera. The processor can receive at least one image from the camera and determine whether the liquid in the container contains any air pockets based on the at least one image. Methods are provided, including a method for use by an apparatus having a camera and a processor electrically coupled to the camera to confirm the dosage of a medicament in a container.