A trap bowl is provided to accumulate liquid droplets from a filter, as a liquid content. The trap bowl includes a transparent vertical prism. The transparent vertical prism includes a face that forms a vertical transparent surface facing against a content of the section. The face can provide a first angle of total reflection when content of the section is a type of gas, and a second angle of total reflection when the content of the section is the liquid content. A light source may emit a light beam incident on the face at an angle of incidence. The angle of incidence results in reflection of the light beam, striking the light receiver, when the face has the first angle of total reflection, and results in refraction of the light beam, missing the light receiver, when the face has the second angle of total reflection.

The system can include: a container 110, a set of sensors 120, and a controller 130. The system can optionally include a robot 140. However, the system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to monitor and/or maintain a fullness level of a container. The system can additionally or alternatively function to enable robotic picking out of the container (e.g., in a pick-and-place setting). The system can additionally function to maintain candidate objects within reach of the robot's end effector to increase robot uptime while minimizing the extent of the robot's required motion (e.g., in the z-axis).

The present invention relates to a method for contactlessly measuring the amount of menstrual blood in a menstrual cup. The amount of menstrual blood that has been stored in a menstrual cup can be simply measured by using a contactless sensor means, thereby enabling the user to periodically check the amount of menstrual blood. This enables early detection and treatment of uterine fibroid, which may even lead to hysterectomy.

An optical baffle and combination with a laser sensor of especial applicability in attenuating off-axis laser light in the use of a laser sensor for determining the height of a liquid level or distance to a surface detectable through a pipe.

An apparatus for determining a vertical position of at least one interface between a first component and at least one second component, the components comprised as different layers in a sample container. The apparatus comprises a first sensing unit and a first light detector configured to generate a first sensing signal, a second sensing unit comprising a second light detector configured to generate a second sensing signal, a driving unit configured to move the sample container, a position sensing unit configured to output a position sensing signal indicative of a vertical position of the sample container, a vertical position determining unit configured to match the first and the second sensing signal such that first and the second sensing signal correspond to identical vertical positions, and to determine the vertical position of the at least one interface in response to the matched sensing signals and the position sensing signal.

Techniques for controlling assessment of storage height are described. In an example, a device includes an optical transducer and a light source. The optical transducer generates a signal corresponding to light received from the light source. Based on the signal, brightness of the light source may be controlled.

A liquid level detection device that is provided in a vessel and configured to detect a liquid level of fluid stored in the vessel includes a first plate formed in a plate shape, and a second plate formed in a plate shape and disposed to face the first plate. The first plate is disposed in such a manner that a surface opposite to a surface facing the second plate is orthogonal to a flow direction of fluid around the first plate in the vessel.

In a liquid level monitor for use with a liquid container of a liquid-consuming device, a light source transmits a light beam into the liquid container at a non-normal angle of incidence respective to a wall of the liquid container. A photodetector is positioned in the path of one of (i) the light beam after passing through the liquid container when the light beam is not refracted by liquid in the liquid container and (ii) the light beam after passing through the liquid container when the light beam is refracted by liquid in the liquid container. In another approach, the sensor for detecting empty includes a vibrator and a vibration sensor, and an electronic processor is programmed to determine whether the liquid container is empty of liquid based on the detected vibration of the liquid container.

An apparatus, system and method for providing a consumable level monitor for association with a solid content-filled consumable. The embodiments may include a sensing module embedded in a label associated with the consumable suitable to sense the consumable level; and a visual indicator suitable to receive the consumable level from the sensing module, and for communicating the consumable level to a user.

A smart parts bin apparatus including a light source configured to emit a light signal, a detector configured to detect the light signal emitted by the light source, an inner surface defining a volume configured to retain one or more parts, wherein the light source and the detector are each affixed to the inner surface and arranged on opposing sides of the inner surface within the volume, and a signal source configured to provide an inventory status signal, including a first type of signal when the light signal emitted by the light source is not detected by the detector indicating that a level of parts in the smart parts bin apparatus is above a threshold inventory level, and a second type of signal when the light signal is detected by the detector indicating that the level of parts in the smart parts bin apparatus is below the threshold inventory level.