The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 09, 1999
Filed:
May. 13, 1997
Scott M Rix, Arlington, VA (US);
Earl N Powers, White Hall, MD (US);
System Planning Corporation, Arlington, VA (US);
Abstract
A device for detecting the presence of items made of recyclable materials randomly located and arranged within randomly arranged solid waste having random characteristics. A transmitter produces acoustic energy of at least one predetermined wavelength in a desired direction. The acoustic energy causes the items made of recyclable material present within the randomly arranged solid waste to resonate and thereby produce resonated acoustic energy. A receiver receives the resonated acoustic energy. The receiver generates a signal based upon the resonated acoustic energy. A processor connected at least to the receiver receives the signal from the receiver for analyzing the resonated acoustic energy, for calculating the signal based upon the resonated acoustic energy, and comparing the calculated signature to known signatures of items made of recyclable materials. An indicator indicates when the calculated signature substantially corresponds to at least a selected one of the known signatures, thereby indicating the presence of items made of recyclable materials.