SMART WELCOME MAT HAVING A FOOTWEAR SCRUBBER WITH A REMOVABLE TRAY

Abstract

A smart mat provides a frame having a platform spaced apart from a base plate so as to define a compartment between the platform and the base plate wherein one or more powered brushes are operatively associated with the frame so that an operative surface of at least one of the one or more powered brushes projects above the platform, and an artificial intelligence functionality operatively associated with the one or more powered brushes so that activation thereof is based on the AIF sensing a user.

Claims

1. A smart mat comprising: a frame having a platform spaced apart from a base plate so as to define a compartment between the platform and the base plate; one or more powered brushes operatively associated with the frame so that an operative surface of at least one of the one or more powered brushes projects above the platform; and an artificial intelligence functionality (AIF) operatively associated with the one or more powered brushes so that activation thereof is based on the AIF sensing a user.

2. The smart mat of claim 1, further comprising: a removably tray dimensioned and sized to slidably in to and out of the compartment.

3. The smart mat of claim 2, further comprising: a grate incorporated in the platform; and a grate opening provided along the grate, wherein the one or more powered brushes are disposed within the grate opening so that the operative surface of the at least one of the one or more powered brushes protrudes above the platform and the grate.

4. The smart mat of claim 3, wherein the one or more powered brushes are arranged so as to simultaneously engage a side of a footwear and an underside of said footwear.

5. The smart mat of claim 3, wherein each of the one or more powered brushes are rotatably connected to the frame so that distal ends of bristles along an axle of the powered brushes define said operative surface.

6. The smart mat of claim 3, wherein the AIF is configured to audible communicate with the user by way of microphones connected to the smart mat.

7. The smart mat of claim 6, further comprising a lighting system operatively associated with the AIF so that activation of said lighting system is based on the audible communication.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaner module 70 of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the cleaner module 70 of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the cleaner module 70 of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, the smart mat 100 may include a frame 10 having a top platform 12 spaced apart from a base platform to define a cavity therebetween. A removable tray 18 is dimensioned and adapted to slide in and out of the cavity. The top platform includes a grate 20 along a portion thereof. The grate 20 defines a grate opening 22 communicating with the cavity. Within the opening one or more motor-powered brush assemblies 30 are supported by the frame 10. Each brush assembly 30 may include a plurality of bristles radially extending from a motor-powered axle which is rotatably connected to the frame 10 or other supporting framework. The length, stiffness, and material of the bristles is adapted withstand the forces needed to urge the bristles against the underside of footwear to knock debris from the treads of said footwear into the cavity thereunder, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0021] In one embodiment, the frame 10 plasticized material that is approximately 457.2 mm W762 mm L0.75 mm thick ABS plastic. The bottom may be approximately 12.7 mm thick457.2 mm762 mm. Each brush 30 may be cylindrical 88.9 mm355.6 mm. The grate 20 may be approximately 356 mm356 mm with 63.5 mm88.9 mm rectangles. The brush rollers 30 may be powered by a motor and belt apparatus. With that said, it is to be understood that the present invention covers and contemplates many sizes and types of brushes, motors and trays. The smart mat 100 may provide a recordable device, a speaker 40, motion and AI sensors 80, a lighting system 50 and a carrying handle 60. The AI sensors may include a proximity sensor 90 and a power button. For example, a proximity sensor for detecting whether an individual is within proximity of smart mat 100 and may communicate one or more instructional messages to the sensed individual.

[0022] Operatively associated with the smart mat 100 may be AI functionality which has sensing power through the motion and AI sensors. The AI functionality senses, learns, and identifies a user, thereby simultaneously activating the voice messaging via the speaker 40, the lighting 50, and the brushes 30, so that when a person steps on the brushes 30, debris is knocked off the bottom of their footwear, and into the removably tray 18 that fills the cavity during use.

[0023] In one embodiment, computer-readable instructions may be stored in a memory of a sensor module operatively associated with the AI sensors, wherein the instructions may be executed by a microcontroller and may selectively power a motor that activates the brush assemblies 30 and 70.

[0024] The AI enables communication with the owner of the smart mat 100. The AI sensor senses, learns, counts, and recognizes people using it. The AI also triggers the voice via a speaker 40, the lights via the lighting system 50. The brush assemblies 30 may be operatively associated with a time so that a programmable time may be set for the activation of the brush assemblies 30.

[0025] The smart mat 100 may include an automated self-contained footwear cleaner module 70 that works with the AI functionality and/or motion sensors or trigger options, belts and or gear options to spin and or move brushes back and forth with the removable tray with tray full sensor option and LED lighting system 30.

[0026] In some embodiments, a portable electronic device may also comprise a mobile application stored in a non-volatile memory, wherein the mobile application may comprise instructions stored in a non-volatile memory of a portable electronic device, which can be executed by a processor of a portable electronic device to perform specific functionality. In embodiments, this functionality may be controlling of, interacting with, and/or communicating with the smart mat 100. The mobile application may provide users with similar services to those accessed and may be individual software units with limited or specific functions. The mobile application may operatively associate with a sensor device (or other IoT device) may communicate to a server computing device via a cellular communications network, a wireless communication network, a wired communication network and/or other communication network. In embodiments, a sensor device and/or assembly device may capture sensor measurements, data and/or conditions and may communicate sensor measurements, data and/or conditions to an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled server, which may analyze, store, route and/or communicate such sensor measurements, data and/or conditions. In one embodiment, the smart mat 100 may be an IoT and be part of a network of physical objects-sensors, devices, vehicles, buildings, and other electronic devices, wherein the IoT may sense and/or control objects across existing wireless communication network infrastructure, an existing cellular communication network, and/or a global communications network infrastructure. Integrating devices via IoT may create opportunities for more direct integration of a physical world into computer-based systems, which may result in improved efficiency, accuracy and economic benefit. In addition, when an IoT device or server may be augmented with sensors and actuators, IoT may be integrated or enabled with a more general class of cyber-physical systems, e.g., smart grids, smart homes, intelligent transportation and smart cities. In embodiments, in IoT, for example, may be uniquely identifiable through its embedded computing system but is able to interoperate within the existing Internet infrastructure. In some embodiments, a device may have a specific IP address to be addressed by other IoT enabled systems and/or devices. In some embodiments, an IP address may be provided and/or established by routers and/or Internet service providers.

[0027] The smart mat 100 may be a device on an IoT-enabled device may be one or more cameras, one or more environmental sensors, one or more directional sensors, one or more movement sensors, one or more motor assemblies, one or more lighting assemblies and/or one or more solar panels or cells. These objects and/or IoT-enabled devices may comprise items and/or device may be embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity, which enables these physical objects to detect, collect, process and/or exchange data with each other and/or with computing devices.

[0028] The servers, sensors, appliances, motor assemblies, cameras, lighting assemblies, microphones 92, computing devices, etc. may communicate with each other utilizing an Internet Protocol Suite.

[0029] In one embodiment, the footwear cleaner modules 70 may provide an inside frame 72 that is 14 long12 wide 13/16th deep with a removable tray 18 that measures deep10 wide14 long with an arrangement of brushes 72 that cleans the side and bottom of the footwear. As mentioned above, there may be different sizes and dimensions of brushes 72, framework, and trays. Also, there cleaner modules may provide vibratory forces to the arrangement of brushes 72 at adjustable strengths. There are handlebar/grab bar 60, such as screw in T bar, side rail and wall mounted grab bar options.

[0030] Method of functioning includes the following. A person approaches the smart mat 100 and the sensors detect said person and the light system 50 may be activated in one of several modes, such as a multi-color chase mode, or the like, that illuminate sequentially so as to appear to revolve around the outer diameter and then turn, say, green for go and or any other custom programable mode and says, welcome please step on the brushes to clean your footwear, or a custom recorded greeting message as the brushes begin to spin and/or move back and forth depending on the options

[0031] The person steps on and the brushes that clean the person's footwear so that previously-attached dirt falls into the removable tray 18. Then the lights turn red revolve around twice, as way of an example of the customizable nature of the present invention. Moreover, the smart mat 100 may be programmed to say it's exit greeting the user as they step off, thanking them for cleaning their footwear or whatever customized greeting that is programmed into the smart mat 100. There are different application options that will tell a user who cleaned their feet and who walked around it by syncing with the AI sensor.

[0032] A method of using the present invention may include the following. An owner would place the smart mat 100 at an entrance to a high foot-traffic area, such as a building entrance, a mud room, or the like. As a person approaches the smart mat 100, the AI functionality via the AI sensor on the smart mat 100 would either recognize them, or sense them, and an AI-provided voice would welcome them and instruct them to step on the grate and then the brushes which will spin, the lights 50 would simultaneously light and the persons footwear soles would be cleaned off by the spinning bristled-rollers of the brush assemblies 30 and the dirt would fall into the removable tray 18.

[0033] Additionally, the present invention could be used in a diverse range of rooms and entrances or clean rooms in factories, hospitals, restaurants, schools, and the like.

[0034] As used in this application, the term about or approximately refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term substantially refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0035] For purposes of this disclosure, the term aligned means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term transverse means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term length means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term width means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term above generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term mechanical communication generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.

[0036] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as, or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

[0037] In the following description, it is understood that terms such as first, second, top, bottom, up, down, and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0038] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.