Trash container with induction actuated cover and adjustable detection distance arrangement and its controlling method

Abstract

A trash can includes an induction actuated cover being actuated to move between a closed position and an opened position in response to an object, an actuation module being activated at one of an operation mode and a setting mode, and an adjustable detection distance arrangement. At the operation mode, the induction actuated cover is moved from the closes position to the opened position when the object is detected above an induction window within a detection range at a preset detection distance. The adjustable detection distance arrangement is arranged to store a desired detection distance at the setting mode. The desired detection distance is selectively adjusted from the induction window and is defined as a distance of the object placed above the induction window. The desired detection distance is stored to replace the preset detection distance for actuating the induction actuated cover at the operation mode.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a trash container having a container cover, comprising the steps of: (a) activating one of an operation mode and a setting mode of said trash container; (b) detecting an object above an induction window of said trash container within a detection range; (c) at said operation mode, actuating an induction actuated cover of said trash container from a closes position to an opened position when the object is detected above said induction window within a detection range at a preset detection distance; and (d) at said setting mode, selectively adjusting a desired detection distance from said induction window by placing the object above said induction window of said trash container within said detection range, wherein said desired detection distance is stored to replace said preset detection distance for actuating said induction actuated cover at said operation mode.

2. The method, as recited in claim 1, wherein the step (c) further comprises the steps of: (d.1) actuating a set button to activate said trash container from said operation mode to said setting mode; and (d.2) placing a hand of a user as the object above said induction window to adjust said desired detection distance therefrom.

3. The method, as recited in claim 2, wherein said set button is pressed and held until said desired detection distance is stored, and is released to exit said setting mode.

4. The method, as recited in claim 1, wherein the step (b) comprises the steps of: (b.1) emitting an infrared signal from an infrared emitter through said induction window to detect the object above said induction window; and (b.2) receiving a reflected infrared signal by an infrared receiver when said infrared signal is reflected by the object.

5. The method, as recited in claim 3, wherein the step (b) comprises the steps of: (b.1) emitting an infrared signal from an infrared emitter through said induction window to detect the object above said induction window; and (b.2) receiving a reflected infrared signal by an infrared receiver when said infrared signal is reflected by the object.

6. The method, as recited in claim 4, wherein the step (b) comprises the steps of: (b.3) amplifying said reflected infrared signal as an analog signal by an amplifier; (b.4) converting said analog signal into a digital signal by an analog-to-digital converter; (b.5) storing said digital signal as a stored value; and (b.6) comparing said stored value with a preset value, wherein when said stored value is smaller than said preset value, said induction actuated cover is remained at said closed position, wherein when said stored value is greater than said preset value, said induction actuated cover is actuated to said opened position.

7. The method, as recited in claim 5, wherein the step (b) comprises the steps of: (b.3) amplifying said reflected infrared signal as an analog signal by an amplifier; (b.4) converting said analog signal into a digital signal by an analog-to-digital converter; (b.5) storing said digital signal as a stored value; and (b.6) comparing said stored value with a preset value, wherein when said stored value is smaller than said preset value, said induction actuated cover is remained at said closed position, wherein when said stored value is greater than said preset value, said induction actuated cover is actuated to said opened position.

8. The method, as recited in claim 6, wherein said stored valve is a value of said preset detection distance in a default manner and is a value of said desired detection distance after said preset detection distance is replaced by said desired detection distance.

9. The method, as recited in claim 7, wherein said stored valve is a value of said preset detection distance in a default manner and is a value of said desired detection distance after said preset detection distance is replaced by said desired detection distance.

10. A trash container, comprising: an induction actuated cover being actuated to move between an closed position and an opened position in response to an object; an actuation module, comprising an induction window, being activated at one of an operation mode and a setting mode, wherein at said operation mode, said induction actuated cover is moved from said closes position to said opened position when the object is detected above said induction window within a detection range at a preset detection distance; and an adjustable detection distance arrangement, which comprises: a single microcomputer control chip storing a desired detection distance at said setting mode, wherein said desired detection distance is selectively adjusted from said induction window and is defined as a distance of the object placed above said induction window within said detection range, wherein said desired detection distance is stored to replace said preset detection distance for actuating said induction actuated cover at said operation mode.

11. The trash container, as recited in claim 10, wherein said adjustable detection distance arrangement further comprises a set button being actuated to activate said actuation module from said operation mode to said setting mode.

12. The trash container, as recited in claim 10, wherein said actuation module further comprises an infrared emitter located underneath said induction window to emit an infrared signal through said induction window for detecting the object above said induction window, and an infrared receiver located underneath said induction window to receive a reflected infrared signal when said infrared signal is reflected by the object.

13. The trash container, as recited in claim 11, wherein said actuation module further comprises an infrared emitter located underneath said induction window to emit an infrared signal through said induction window for detecting the object above said induction window, and an infrared receiver located underneath said induction window to receive a reflected infrared signal when said infrared signal is reflected by the object.

14. The trash container, as recited in claim 12, wherein said single microcomputer control chip comprises an amplifier chip amplifying said reflected infrared signal as an analog signal, an analog-to-digital converter converting said analog signal into a digital signal, an analog-to-digital conversion result register storing said digital signal as a stored value, a preset detection distance register for storing a preset valve, and a comparing module comparing said stored value is with a preset value, wherein when said stored value is smaller than said preset value, said induction actuated cover is remained at said closed position, wherein when said stored value is greater than said preset value, said induction actuated cover is actuated to said opened position.

15. The trash container, as recited in claim 13, wherein said single microcomputer control chip comprises an amplifier chip amplifying said reflected infrared signal as an analog signal, an analog-to-digital converter converting said analog signal into a digital signal, an analog-to-digital conversion result register storing said digital signal as a stored value, a preset detection distance register for storing a preset valve, and a comparing module comparing said stored value is with a preset value, wherein when said stored value is smaller than said preset value, said induction actuated cover is remained at said closed position, wherein when said stored value is greater than said preset value, said induction actuated cover is actuated to said opened position.

16. The trash container, as recited in claim 14, wherein said single microcomputer control chip comprises an adjusting detection distance register storing a value of said desired detection distance.

17. The trash container, as recited in claim 15, wherein said single microcomputer control chip comprises an adjusting detection distance register storing a value of said desired detection distance.

18. The trash container, as recited in claim 15, wherein said stored valve is a value of said preset detection distance in a default manner and is a value of said desired detection distance after said preset detection distance is replaced by said desired detection distance.

19. The trash container, as recited in claim 17, wherein said stored valve is a value of said preset detection distance in a default manner and is a value of said desired detection distance after said preset detection distance is replaced by said desired detection distance.

20. The trash container, as recited in claim 19, wherein said actuation module further comprises a driver circuit connected to said microcomputer control chip, and a motor being actuated by said driver circuit for generating a forward rotational power to move said induction actuated cover from said closed position to said opened position, and for generating a reversed rotational power to move said induction actuated cover back to said closed position from said opened position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a trash container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a controlling method of the trash container according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an amplifying circuit of the trash container according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(4) In the drawings: 1—Infrared emitter, 2—Infrared receiver, 3—Microcomputer control chip, 31—Amplifier, 32—Digital converter, 33—Analog-to-digital conversion result register, 34—Comparison program, 35—Adjusting detection distance register, 36—Preset detection distance register, 37—Microcomputer program control unit, 3A—Output control terminal (first terminal) of a microcomputer control chip to control the infrared transmitter to output infrared pulse, 3B—Amplifier analog signal input terminal (second terminal), 3C—Output terminal set (third terminal) of the microcomputer control chip control drive circuit, 3D—Input terminal (fourth terminal) of a connection between the microcomputer control chip and a push button switch, 4—Driver circuit, 5—Motor, 6—Decelerator, 7—Induction actuated cover, 8—Set button, 9—induction window P, 10—Detection range, 0P—Amplifier chip, R1-R6—Resistors of amplifier circuit, C1-C4—Capacitance of amplifier circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(5) The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention.

(6) As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a trash container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the trash container is able to allow a user to set and adjust a detection distance of the trash container. The trash container comprises an infrared emitter 1, an infrared receiver 2, an amplifier 31, a digital converter 32, an analog-to-digital conversion result register 33, a preset detection distance register 36, an adjusting detection distance register 35, a comparison program 34, a microcomputer program control unit 37, a set button 8, a driver circuit 4, a motor 5, a decelerator 6, an induction actuated cover 7, an induction window 9, and a detection range 10. The amplifier is constructed by an amplifier chip and its peripheral RC components. The amplifier chip, the analog-to-digital converter, the analog-to-digital conversion result register, the preset detection distance register, the adjusting detection distance register, the comparison program, and the microcomputer program control unit are all integrated to form a microcomputer control chip with an integrated circuit. The infrared emitter and the infrared receiver are located underneath the detection window which is a transparent window:

(7) As shown in FIG. 3, the amplifier 31 is constructed by an amplifier chip (0P), resistors R1 to R6, and capacitors C1 to C4. In this embodiment, the amplifier chip (OP), the analog-to-digital converter 32, the analog-to-digital conversion result register 33, the preset detection distance register 36, the adjusting detection distance register 35, the comparison program 34, and the microcomputer program control unit 37 are integrated to form with the microcomputer control chip 3. Accordingly, the induction circuit of the conventional induction trash container is constructed to have two control chips and a plurality of peripheral R-C components. One of the control chips is an amplifier chip and another one is the microcomputer control chip. Therefore, the circuit configuration of the conventional trash container is complicated, and there are lots of welding connections at the circuit board of the conventional trash container, such that the cost of the conventional trash container is relatively high. In view of the present invention, the trash container incorporates with a single digital chip to simplify the circuit configuration, to minimize any welding connection at the circuit board, to lower the manufacturing cost, to reduce the failure operation rate, to minimize the circuit board size, and to lower the overall cost of the trash container.

(8) The microcomputer control chip comprises a first port 3A, a second port 3B, a third port 3C, and a fourth port 3D. The first port 3A is electrically connected to the infrared emitter 1. The third port 3C is electrically connected to the driver circuit 4. The second port 3B is electrically connected to the infrared receiver 2. The fourth port 3D is electrically connected to the set button 8. The driver circuit 4 is sequentially connected to the induction actuated cover 7 via the motor 5 and the decelerator 6 in order for driving the induction actuated cover 7 between a closed position and an opened position, so as to perform a pivotally flipping operation of the induction actuated cover 7. The infrared receiver 2 is sequentially connected to the comparison program 34 via the amplifier 31, the analog to digital converter 32, and the analog to digital conversion result register 33 in order. The comparison program 34 is also connected to the preset detection distance register 36 and the adjusting detection distance register 35. The infrared emitter 1, the driver circuit 4, the set button 8, the adjusting detection distance register, the preset detection distance register 36, the comparison program 34, the analog to digital conversion result register 33, and the analog to digital converter 32 are all connected to the microcomputer program control unit 37. At the default setting of the detection distance, the detection distance is set at a preset detection distance. The comparison program is activated by comparing the current value of the analog-to-digital conversion result register 33 with the preset threshold of the preset detection distance register 36 in a percentage ratio in order to actuate the induction actuated cover 7 from the closed position to the opened position. When the value of the analog-to-digital conversion result register 33 is smaller than the preset threshold of the preset detection distance register 36, the induction actuated cover 7 will not be opened. When the value of the analog-to-digital conversion result register 33 is greater than the preset threshold of the preset detection distance register 36, the induction actuated cover 7 will be actuated for moving the induction actuated cover 7 to the opened position. In order to adjust the detection distance, the user is able to actuate, such as by pressing, the set button 8. Then, an object, such as the user's hand, is placed above the induction window 8 to adjust the detection distance between the user's hand and the induction window 8. Then, the program is activated at a setting mode to read a distance setting date of the detection distance being set by the user. The distance setting data is stored in the adjusting detection distance register 35. As a result, the detection distance is adjusted and set for subsequent use of the trash container. The comparison program is activated by comparing the current value of the analog-to-digital conversion result register 33 with the adjusted detection distance value of the adjusting detection distance register 35 in order to actuate the induction actuated cover 7 from the closed position to the opened position. When the value of the analog-to-digital conversion result register 33 is smaller than the adjusted detection distance value of the adjusting detection distance register 35, the induction actuated cover 7 will not be opened. When the value of the analog-to-digital conversion result register 33 is greater than the adjusted detection distance value of the adjusting detection distance register 35, the induction actuated cover 7 will be actuated for moving the induction actuated cover 7 to the opened position.

(9) Accordingly, the induction circuit of the conventional induction trash container is constructed to have two control chips and a plurality of peripheral resistance-capacitance components. One of the control chips is an amplifier chip and another one is the microcomputer control chip. Therefore, the circuit configuration of the conventional trash container is complicated, and there are lots of welding connections at the circuit board of the conventional trash container, such that the cost of the conventional trash container is relatively high. In view of the present invention, the trash container incorporates with a single digital chip to simplify the circuit configuration, to minimize any welding connection at the circuit board, to lower the manufacturing cost, to reduce the failure operation rate, to minimize the circuit board size, and to lower the overall cost of the trash container.

(10) According to the preferred embodiment, before the microcomputer control chip 3 is powered on, if the set button 8 is not pressed, the detection distance is the default detection distance for the subsequent use (the default detection distance is preset by a manufacturer of the trash container and cannot be changed). When the set button 8 is pressed, the microcomputer control chip 3 is activated at the setting mode after it is powered on. Then, after the setting adjustment is completed, the detection distance is set as the current sensing distance for the subsequent use. There are two following advantages for adjusting the detection distance after the microcomputer control chip 3 is powered on. The first advantage is that the set button 8 can be used for other operations after the microcomputer control chip 3 is powered on. For example, the set button 8 can be a normal actuation opening button or a manual closing button, etc. The second advantage is that the user does not need to input a numerical distance or does not need to read the user manual before the adjustment. There is no difference between the operation and the use of the trash container, so as to prevent any confusion during the use. It should be appreciated that the adjustment arrangement of the instant invention can be incorporated with any conventional induction trash container, such as adding an individual set button of the present invention into the conventional induction circuit, in order to selectively adjust the detection distance of the trash container. Of course, this configuration may cause the mis-operation of the trash container for the user.

(11) In this embodiment, the microcomputer control chip 3 further comprises an R20 register, wherein the R20 register is connected to the preset detection distance register 36, the adjusting detection distance register 35, and the comparison program 34 for temporarily storing the preset threshold of the preset detection distance register 36 or the adjusted detection distance value of the adjusting detection distance register 35 in order to compare with the value of the analog-to-digital conversion result register 33 by the comparison program 34.

(12) As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention further provides a controlling method for the trash container with the above mentioned adjustable detection distance, wherein the controlling method comprises the following steps:

(13) Step S1: After the microcomputer control chip 3 is powered on, determine whether it is a power-on operation or a wake-up reset operation. When it is a power-on operation, it proceeds to Step S2. When it is a wake-up reset operation, it proceeds to Step S5.

(14) Step S2: Program initialization. The first terminal 3A of the microcomputer control chip 3 is set as an output terminal, and the infrared emitter 1 is controlled not to emit infrared signal. The second terminal 3B is set as an analog input terminal of the amplifier. The third terminal 3C is set as an output terminal, and the control drive circuit 4 is deactivated to not operate. The fourth terminal 3D is set as an input terminal, and is pulled up.

(15) Step S3: Determine whether the set button 8 is pressed, preferably press and hold action on the set button 8. If the set button 8 is not pressed, the fourth terminal 3D of the microcomputer control chip 3 is activated to proceed to step S4 since the pull-up is set at a high level. If the set button 8 is pressed, the fourth terminal 3D is set at a low level. Then, the program is arranged to enter into the setting mode and to proceed to step S13.

(16) Step S4: Assign the preset threshold of the preset detection distance register 36 to the R20 register, and proceed to step S5.

(17) Step S5: Output a pulse signal at the first terminal 3A of the microcomputer control chip 3, and control the infrared emitter 1 to emit the infrared pulse signal to the detection range 10, and proceed to step S6.

(18) Step S6: Receive a reflected signal by the infrared receiver 2, amplify the analog signal by the amplifier 31, and convert the analog signal into a digital signal via an analog-to-digital conversion by the analog-to-digital converter 32, then proceed to step S7.

(19) Step S7: Store the analog-to-digital conversion result of the current analog-to-digital converter 32 as a stored value in the analog-to-digital conversion result register 33, and proceed to step S8.

(20) Step S8: Compare the stored value of the analog-to-digital conversion result register 33 with the value of the R20 register. If the value of the analog to digital conversion result register 33 is smaller than the value of the R20 register, proceeds to step S9. If the value of the analog-to-digital conversion result register 33 is greater than the value of the R20 register, proceed to step S10.

(21) Step S9: The microcomputer control chip 3 enters the sleep power saving state 300 mS, wherein the microcomputer control chip 3 can be woken up and returned to step S1.

(22) Step S10: The microcomputer control chip 3 is arranged to control the driver circuit 4 through the third terminal 3C to actuate the motor 5 for generating the rotational power in the forward direction, and the motor 5 is arranged to drive the decelerator 6 to open up the induction actuated cover 7, and proceed to step S1.

(23) Step S11: The microcomputer control chip 3 is arranged to control the driver circuit 4 through the third terminal 3C to stop the actuation of the motor 5, and to maintain the induction actuated cover 7 at the opened position for a predetermined time interval, such as 3 seconds, proceed to step S12.

(24) Step S12: The microcomputer control chip 3 is arranged to the driver circuit 4 through the third terminal 3C to actuate the motor 5 for generating the rotational power in the reverse direction, the motor 5 is arranged to drive the decelerator 6 to close the induction actuated cover 7, and return to step S9.

(25) Step S13: Enter into the setting mode: the user or operator is arranged to place the object, such as the user hand, above the induction window 9 within the detection range 10. The user is able to adjust the distance from the hand to the induction window 9 to set the desired detection distance required by the user. When keeping the hand within the detection range 10 with the desired detection distance, the set button 8 being pressed by the other hand of the user is ready to release. Then, proceed to step S14.

(26) Step S14: The program is arranged to continuously determine whether the set button 8 is released. If the program determines that the set button 8 is remained in a pressed position, the method continues to the step S14. If the program determines that the set button 8 is released, proceed to step S15.

(27) Step S15: The first terminal 3A of the microcomputer control chip 3 is arranged to output a pulse signal, and to control the infrared emitter 1 for emitting an infrared pulse signal to the detection range 10, and then proceed to step S16.

(28) Step S16: The signal reflected by the user hand is received by the infrared receiver 2. The analog signal is amplified by the amplifier 31, and then the amplified analog signal is converted into a digital signal via an analog-to-digital conversion by the analog-to-digital converter 32. Then, proceed to step S17.

(29) Step S17: Store the result/value of the analog-to-digital conversion of the analog-to-digital converter 32 in the R20 register and return to step S5. Then, exit the setting mode, and enter the normal operation mode.

(30) Particularly, according to the preferred embodiment, the data or result stored in the R20 register is the data of the adjusted distance value. Accordingly, the R20 register is the adjusting detection register in this embodiment. It the setup mode is not activated after the power-on operation, the preset threshold of the preset detection distance register is assigned to the R20 register. The R20 register is equivalent to the preset detection distance register for the subsequent use of the trash container.

(31) It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.