Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for collection of pebbles, and more particularly to an automated pebbles collection device for collection of pebbles from a ground surface as per the user specified area in an automated manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Pebble collection is essential for various applications, including landscaping, construction, and decorative purposes. Collecting pebbles ensures a consistent and suitable size and quality, which is crucial for aesthetic and functional uses. In landscaping, well-chosen pebbles enhance visual appeal and provide effective ground cover. In construction, they contribute to the stability and durability of materials like concrete. Proper collection also helps in separating undesirable materials, such as sand or fine particles, ensuring the pebbles meet specific standards. Effective pebble collection improves efficiency, reduces waste, and supports the successful implementation of projects requiring precise material specifications.

[0003] Traditional pebble collection methods include manual picking, using simple sieves or screens, and employing hand-held tools. While these methods are straightforward, they have notable drawbacks. Manual picking is labor-intensive and time-consuming, often leading to inconsistent results and potential physical strain. Sieves and screens can be inefficient for large quantities and may fail to separate smaller debris effectively. Hand-held tools may not be suitable for diverse terrain or varying pebble sizes. These methods often result in lower productivity and accuracy, and may not adequately remove fine materials or impurities, impacting the overall quality and usability of collected pebbles.

[0004] US4040489A incorporates both systems and provides further for raising and lowering both the prong assembly and the rotary rake relative to the ground and secondly, it provides an hydraulic drive for the rotary rake so that both the speed and direction of rotation of the rotary rake can be controlled by the operator. Though US’489 relates to new and useful improvements in rock picking devices. Conventionally such devices include a prong assembly or a rotary rake assembly and if a rotary rake assembly is utilized, the rotation of the rake assembly is provided by a drive shaft from the source of power or a live power takeoff from the wheels of the rock picker. This means that it is not possible to control the direction of rotation of the rotary rake and in many instances the speed of rotation is directly related to the speed of the rock picker across the ground, however this cited prior art lacks in aiding a user in collection of pebbles from a ground surface as per the user specified area in an automated manner, diminishing efficiency and precision, demanding manual effort, and hindering consistent quality and sorting of pebbles for various applications.

[0005] EP2436250A1 discloses an apparatus for soil working comprising a plurality of soil loosening members (22—38) spaced apart from one another transversely of the apparatus for creating a plurality of zones of loosened soil alongside one another, followed by respective seed delivery members (130) for extending into the zones of loosened soil and for discharging seeds therein at a predetermined depth, characterised in that the seed delivery members (130) are mounted for at least lateral movement relative to the soil loosening members (22-38). Although EP’250 relates generally to agricultural apparatus and methods, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for soil cultivation and seed sowing, however this cited prior is incapable of aiding a user in collection of pebbles from a ground surface as per the user specified area in an automated manner, diminishing efficiency and precision, demanding manual effort, and hindering consistent quality and sorting of pebbles for various applications.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that relates to useful improvements in rock picking devices, however these devices lacks in aiding a user in collection of pebbles from a ground surface as per the user specified area in an automated manner, diminishing efficiency and precision, demanding manual effort, and hindering consistent quality and sorting of pebbles for various applications.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that aids a user in collection of pebbles from a ground surface as per the user specified area in an automated manner, thereby enhancing efficiency and precision, reducing manual effort, and ensuring consistent quality and sorting of pebbles for various applications.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that pertains to aid a user in collection of pebbles from a ground surface as per the user specified area in an automated manner, thereby enhancing efficiency and precision, reducing manual effort, and ensuring consistent quality and sorting of pebbles for various applications.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is envisioned towards discarding any sand and fine pebbles among the collected pebbles, improving the uniformity and suitability of the pebbles for specific uses and maintaining overall product quality.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is portable and reliable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Aspects of the invention, in some embodiments thereof, relate to an automated pebbles collection device. More specifically, the invention relates to a pebble collection device that aids the used for collecting pebbles from a ground surface as per the user specified area in an automated manner.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated pebbles collection device, comprising a housing developed to be positioned on a ground surface by means of caterpillar wheel arranged with plurality of telescopically operated rods, a communication module integrated with an inbuilt microcontroller installed in the housing to establish a wireless connection between the device and a computing unit of a user, to enable the user to provide input command regarding collection of pebbles from the surface, a rotatable artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed on the housing to generate a three dimensional mapping of the surrounding to allow the user to specify an area from which the pebbles are to be collected, a bucket attached with anterior of the housing by means of a pair of hydraulically operated links having a tray consisting plurality of tines by means of a pair of motorized hinges traps the pebbles, plurality of load cells configured in the tray detect collection of the pebbles along with detecting weight of the collected pebbles, a net configured on base of the bucket and configured with a vibrating unit to vibrate the bucket in a manner sand and fine pebbles gets discarded, a pair of motorized pivot joint integrated between bucket and the links to tilt the bucket in order to transfer the pebbles into the housing via an opening carved on the housing in continuation to the bucket.

[0015] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an automated pebbles collection device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0018] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0019] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0020] The present invention relates to a device for collection of pebbles, and more particularly to an automated pebbles collection device that aids the user in collection of pebbles from a ground surface as per the user specified area in an automated manner, enhancing efficiency and precision, reducing manual effort, and ensuring consistent quality and sorting of pebbles for various applications.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view of an automated pebbles collection device is illustrated, comprising a housing 101 configured with plurality of telescopically operated rods having caterpillar wheels 102, a rotatable artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 installed on the housing 101, a bucket 104 attached with anterior of the housing 101 by means of a pair of hydraulically operated links, a tray 105 consisting plurality of tines, attached with the bucket 104 by means of a pair of motorized hinges, a net 106 configured on base of the bucket 104 and configured with a vibrating unit, and an opening 107 carved on the housing 101 in continuation to the bucket 104 and just under the links.

[0022] The device proposed herein comprises of a housing 101 that is developed to be positioned on a ground surface, where pebbles are to be collected. The housing 101 as mentioned herein is a hollow cuboidal enclosure encasing various components associated with the device, wherein the housing 101 is made up of material that includes but not limited to stainless steel, which in turn ensures that the device is of generous size and is light in weight.

[0023] The housing 101 is equipped with multiple caterpillar wheels 102 in association with a microcontroller, wherein the wheels 102 are installed with support of multiple telescopically operated rods provided underneath the housing 101 to maneuver the housing 101 throughout the surface. The rods helps to maintain an optimum distance between the base of the housing 101 and the surface to enable the device to supervise the condition of the surface for effectiveness in the pebbles collection process.

[0024] In order to activate functioning of the device, a user is required to manually switch on the device by pressing a button positioned on the housing 101, wherein the button used herein is a push button. Upon pressing of the button, the circuits get closed allowing conduction of electricity that leads to activation of the device and vice versa.

[0025] Upon activation of the device by the user, a computing unit associated with the device via a communication module and wirelessly linked to an inbuilt microcontroller embedded within the housing 101 is accessed by the user to provide input command regarding collection of pebbles from the surface, remotely. The communication module mentioned herein includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, Bluetooth module, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module for enabling the patient to input commands regarding activation of the device.

[0026] The computing unit is installed with a user-interface that allows the medical practitioner to provide input commands regarding collection of pebbles from the surface. This interface provides a patient-friendly platform for practitioner to control device functions based on the requirement. Additionally, the user-interface enables practitioners to wirelessly send activation commands and configure the device settings. The interface streamlines connection between the device and the user, ensuring that the device operates according to specific requirements and facilitating real-time adjustments as specified by the user in an effective manner.

[0027] The microcontroller then processes input commands from the user and accordingly activates a rotatable artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 installed on the housing 101 to capture and process a series of images in surrounding of the housing 101. The imaging unit 103 comprises of an image capturing arrangement including a set of lenses that captures multiple images in surrounding of the housing 101, and the captured images are stored within memory of the imaging unit 103 in form of an optical data. The imaging unit 103 also comprises of a processor that is integrated with artificial intelligence protocols, such that the processor processes the optical data and extracts the required data from the captured images.

[0028] The extracted data is further converted into digital pulses and bits and are further transmitted to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received data to generate a three dimensional mapping of the surrounding. The generated 3-dimensional map is sent then relayed to the computing unit for displaying the generated 3-dimensional map over the user-interface in view of allowing the user to specify an area from where the pebbles are to be collected.

[0029] Based on input commands of the user, the microcontroller actuates the caterpillar wheel to rotate in view of positioning the housing 101 at an initial point of the specified area. The caterpillar wheels 102 utilize electric motors to drive a continuous track unit of the wheel. Upon actuation of the wheels 102 by the microcontroller, the electric motors power sprockets that rotate the tracks, which grip the ground for traction, allowing movement of the housing 101 in view of positioning the housing 101 at an initial point of the specified area.

[0030] Upon positioning of the body at initial point of the specified area, a pair of hydraulically operated links provided with anterior of the housing 101 is actuated by the microcontroller to get extended for positioning a bucket 104 arranged with the links in contact with the surface. The hydraulically operated links is powered by a hydraulic unit consisting of a hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic compressor, hydraulic valve and piston that work in collaboration for providing the required extension/retraction to the links.

[0031] The microcontroller actuates the valve to allow passage of hydraulic fluid from the compressor within the cylinder, the hydraulic fluid further develops pressure against the piston and results in pushing and extending the piston. The piston is connected with the links and due to applied pressure the links extends and similarly, the microcontroller retracts the links by closing the valve resulting in retraction of the piston. The microcontroller regulates the extension/retraction of the links for positioning the bucket 104 in contact with the surface. Upon positioning of the bucket 104 in contact with the surface, the microcontroller actuates the wheels 102 to maneuver the housing 101 over the surface. During movement of the housing 101 a tray 105 consisting plurality of tines, attached with the bucket 104 by means of a pair of motorized hinges gets dragged on the surface, in a manner that the pebbles gets trapped in a manner that the pebbles gets trapped in the tray 105 via the tines.

[0032] Plurality of load cells configured in the tray 105 detects collection of the pebbles along with detecting weight of the collected pebbles. The load cells comprises of a convoluted diaphragm and a sensing module. Due to the weight of pebbles in the tray 105, the size of the diaphragm changes which is detected by the sensing module. The sensing module detects the collection of the pebbles along with detecting weight of the collected pebbles and on the basis of the changes in sizes of the diaphragm, the acquired data is forwarded to the microcontroller in the form of an electrical signal. The microcontroller processes the received signal to determine collection of the pebbles along with weight of the collected pebbles.

[0033] The microcontroller further processes the determined data to compare the determined weight to a pre-defined threshold value stored within a database linked with the microcontroller. On matching of weight of the collected pebbles with the pre-defined threshold value, the microcontroller actuates the hinges to tilt the tray 105 toward bucket 104 in a manner that the collected pebbles are transferred in the bucket 104.

[0034] The motorized hinges comprises of a pair of leaf that is screwed with the surfaces of the tray 105 and the housing 101. The leaf are connected with each other by means of a cylindrical member integrated with a shaft coupled with a DC (Direct Current) motor to provide required movement to the hinge. The rotation of the shaft in clockwise and anti-clockwise aids in opening 107 and closing of the hinge respectively. Hence the microcontroller actuates the hinge that in turn provides movement to the tray 105 for tilting the tray 105 toward bucket 104 in a manner that the collected pebbles are transferred in the bucket 104.

[0035] On transferring of the pebbles into the bucket 104 as detected by the microcontroller via the imaging unit 103, a vibrating unit configured on a net 106 provided on base of the bucket 104 is activated by the microcontroller to vibrate the bucket 104 in a manner sand and fine pebbles gets discarded. The vibration unit is used for subjecting the flaps to move back and forth or from side to side very quickly leading to controlled and reproducible mechanical vibration. The vibration unit consists of an electric motor (preferably a DC motor) and an eccentric weight attached to the shaft of the motor, wherein the unit is housed in an enclosure. Upon activation of the vibration unit by the microcontroller, the motor provides the required power to rotate the shaft, resulting in a rotational motion to the eccentric weight, thus causing a vibration to the bucket 104 in a manner sand and fine pebbles gets discarded.

[0036] On discarding sand and fine pebbles as detected by the microcontroller via the imaging unit 103, the microcontroller actuates the links to retract in order to align the bucket 104 with an opening 107 carved on the housing 101 in continuation to the bucket 104 and just under the links. Upon aligning of the bucket 104 with the opening 107, a pair of motorized pivot joint integrated between bucket 104 and the links is actuated by the microcontroller to tilt the bucket 104 in order to transfer the pebbles into the housing 101 via the opening 107.

[0037] The motorized pivot joint is a mechanical component that allows rotary movement around a single axis, wherein the pivot joint is powered by a (Direct Current) motor that is capable of converting the electric current provided from an external force into mechanical force for providing the required power to the pivot joint for providing rotational movement around the single axis to tilt the bucket 104 in order to transfer the pebbles into the housing 101 via the opening 107.

[0038] While trapping said pebbles in said tray 105 via said tines, in case of detection of trapping of any other object by said microcontroller by employing said imaging unit 103, the microcontroller actuates a pair of robotic gripper installed with said tray 105 to grip said object and discard out of said tray 105. The robotic gripper includes a link connected with multiple motorized ball and socket joints and a gripper for smooth and precise gripping of the object . The motorized ball and socket joint includes a motor powered by the microcontroller generating electrical current, a ball shaped element and a socket. The ball move freely within the socket. The motor rotates the ball in various directions that is controlled by the microcontroller that further commands the motor to position the ball precisely. The microcontroller further actuates the motor to generate electrical current to rotate in the joint for providing movement to the gripper for gripping said object and discard out of said tray 105.

[0039] An ultrasonic based level sensor integrated in the housing 101 detects level of the pebbles being collected in the housing 101. The ultrasonic sensor works by emitting ultrasonic waves and then measuring the time taken by these waves to bounce back after hitting the surface of the housing 101. The ultrasonic sensor includes two main parts viz. transmitter, and a receiver for detecting level of the pebbles being collected in the housing 101. The transmitter sends a short ultrasonic pulse towards the surface of housing 101 which propagates through the air at the speed of sound and reflects back as an echo to the transmitter as the pulse hits the housing 101.

[0040] The transmitter then detects the reflected eco from the housing 101 and calculations is performed by the sensor based on the time interval between the sending signal and receiving echo to determine level of the pebbles being collected in the housing 101. The determined data is sent to the microcontroller in a signal form, based on which the microcontroller further process the signal to determine level of the pebbles being collected in the housing 101. Based on the determined level of the pebbles being collected in the housing 101, the microcontroller sends a notification on the computing unit to notify the user to discard the pebbles.

[0041] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is preferably a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0042] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the housing 101 as mentioned in the invention is developed to be positioned on the ground surface, where pebbles are to be collected. Upon activation of the device by the user, the computing unit is accessed by the user to provide input command regarding collection of pebbles from the surface, remotely. The microcontroller then processes input commands from the user and accordingly activates the rotatable artificial intelligence based imaging unit to capture and process the series of images in surrounding of the housing 101 to generate the three dimensional mapping of the surrounding for allowing the user to specify the area from where the pebbles are to be collected. Based on input commands of the user, the microcontroller actuates the caterpillar wheels 102 to rotate in view of positioning the housing 101 at the initial point of the specified area. Upon positioning of the body at initial point of the specified area, the pair of hydraulically operated links is actuated by the microcontroller to get extended for positioning the bucket 104 arranged with the links in contact with the surface. Plurality of load cells detects collection of the pebbles along with detecting weight of the collected pebbles. On matching of weight of the collected pebbles with the pre-defined threshold value, the microcontroller actuates the hinges to tilt the tray 105 toward bucket 104 in the manner that the collected pebbles are transferred in the bucket 104.

[0043] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An automated pebbles collection device, comprising:

i) a housing 101 developed to be positioned on a ground surface from which said pebbles are to be collected, and configured with plurality of telescopically operated rods for providing support to said housing 101 and to elevate said housing 101 on time of requirement, wherein a caterpillar wheel attached with rods for providing movement to said housing 101 on said surface;
ii) a communication module integrated with an inbuilt microcontroller installed in said housing 101 to establish a wireless connection between said device and a computing unit of a user, to enable said user to provide input command regarding collection of pebbles from said surface;
iii) a rotatable artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 having a processer, installed on said housing 101 that is actuated by said microcontroller on receiving said command via said computing unit, to capture and process a series of surrounding images in order to generate a three dimensional mapping of said surrounding, wherein said mapping is displayed on said computing unit to allow said user to specify an area from which said pebbles are to be collected and based on said specified area said microcontroller directs said wheel to move in view of positioning said housing 101 at initial point of said specified area;
iv) a bucket 104 attached with anterior of said housing 101 by means of a pair of hydraulically operated links that are actuated by said microcontroller to extend and position said bucket 104 in contact with said surface, wherein on positioning of said bucket 104 on said surface, said microcontroller actuates said wheels 102 to maneuver said housing 101;
v) a tray 105 consisting plurality of tines, attached with said bucket 104 by means of a pair of motorized hinges, wherein during movement of said housing 101 said tray 105 is dragged on said surface, in a manner that said pebbles gets trapped in said tray 105 via said tines;
vi) plurality of load cells configured in said tray 105 to detect collection of said pebbles along with detecting weight of said collected pebbles, wherein on matching of weight of said collected pebbles with a pre-defined threshold value, said microcontroller actuates said hinges to tilt said tray 105 toward bucket 104 in a manner that said collected pebbles are transferred in said bucket 104;
vii) a net 106 configured on base of said bucket 104 and configured with a vibrating unit, wherein on transferring said pebbles into said bucket 104 as detected by said imaging unit 103, said microcontroller actuates said vibrating unit to vibrate said bucket 104 in a manner sand and fine pebbles gets discarded; and
viii) an opening 107 carved on said housing 101 in continuation to said bucket 104 and just under said links, wherein on discarding sand and fine pebbles said microcontroller actuates said links to retract in order to align said bucket 104 with said opening 107, followed by actuation of a pair of motorized pivot joint integrated between bucket 104 and said links to tilt said bucket 104 in order to transfer said pebbles into said housing 101 via said opening 107.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said imaging unit 103 continuously capture visuals while trapping said pebbles in said tray 105 via said tines and in case of detection of trapping of any other object said microcontroller actuates a pair of robotic gripper installed with said tray 105 to grip said object and discard out of said tray 105.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein based on said specified area said microcontroller directs said wheel to maneuver said housing 101 over entire specified area in order to ensure collection of said pebbles from entire specified area.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an ultrasonic based level sensor is integrated in said housing 101 to detect level of said pebbles being collected and on complete filling of said housing 101 said microcontroller sends a notification on said computing unit to notify said user to discard said pebbles.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.