US 10928796

US Patent 10928796, titled "Induction trash can circuit standby power-saving method," was issued on February 23, 2021, from an application filed on July 17, 2017. The inventors are Xin Wang, Jiangqun Chen, and Zhou Lin. The patent is currently assigned to Fujian Nashida Electronic Inc Co and Nine Stars Group USA Inc.

Abstract:
The patent describes an induction trash can circuit designed for power saving. This circuit includes an active infrared sensor, a microcontroller, a driving circuit, and a motor for controlling the lid. In a standby state, the microcontroller instructs the active infrared sensor to emit an infrared pulse. If no obstacle is detected, the microcontroller enters a sleep state. After a preset period, a watchdog timer wakes the microcontroller, which then resumes its working state and repeats the detection process. If an obstacle is detected, the microcontroller remains active, driving the motor to open the lid, delaying for a few seconds, then driving the motor to close the lid, and finally re-entering the sleep state.

Independent Claim Overview:

Claim 1: This claim describes a power-saving method for an induction trash can circuit. The method involves:

• In a standby state, a microcontroller commands an active infrared sensor to send an infrared pulse into a detection area.
• If the sensor doesn't detect a reflected signal (meaning no obstacle), the microcontroller goes into a sleep state. While sleeping, the microcontroller turns off the power to the active infrared sensor.
• If the sensor does detect a reflected signal (meaning an obstacle is present), the microcontroller stays active. It then controls a driving circuit to open the trash can lid using a motor, pauses for a few seconds, and then controls the driving circuit to close the lid. After the lid is closed, the microcontroller enters a sleep state.
• After a predetermined time in the sleep state, a watchdog timer built into the microcontroller wakes it up, returning it to the working state to repeat the entire detection process.

Litigation Search:

• The patent text indicates an active PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case, IPR2025-01369, which was filed and is currently pending/instituted.
• A US case has also been filed in the California Central District Court.
• The patent family also has a "First worldwide family litigation filed."

A direct search of CAFC 2026 dockets for US10928796 did not immediately yield specific results detailing an appeal in 2026. While PTAB decisions can be appealed to the CAFC, the provided information and general search results do not confirm such an appeal for this patent in 2026. The USPTO Patent Center confirms the patent is "Active - Reinstated" and provides general information about searching for patents and assignments.US Patent 10928796, titled "Induction trash can circuit standby power-saving method," was issued on February 23, 2021, from an application filed on July 17, 2017. The inventors are Xin Wang, Jiangqun Chen, and Zhou Lin. The patent is currently assigned to Fujian Nashida Electronic Inc Co and Nine Stars Group USA Inc.

Abstract:
The patent describes an induction trash can circuit designed to save power during standby. This circuit comprises an active infrared sensor, a microcontroller, a driving circuit, and a motor that operates the trash can's lid. In standby, the microcontroller directs the active infrared sensor to emit an infrared pulse. If no reflection signal is received (indicating no obstacle), the microcontroller enters a sleep state. After a predefined sleep duration, a watchdog timer within the microcontroller wakes it up, returning it to a working state to repeat the detection process. Conversely, if an obstacle is detected, the microcontroller remains in the working state, instructs the driving circuit to open the lid via the motor, pauses for a few seconds, then closes the lid, and subsequently re-enters the sleep state.

Independent Claim Overview:

Claim 1: This claim outlines a power-saving method for an induction trash can circuit, detailing the following steps:

• In a standby mode, a microcontroller causes an active infrared sensor to emit an infrared pulse towards an area for detection.
• If the microcontroller does not receive a reflected signal from the active infrared sensor (meaning no object is detected), it puts itself into a sleep state, during which it cuts off power to the active infrared sensor.
• If the microcontroller does receive a reflected signal from the active infrared sensor (meaning an object is detected), it remains in a working state. It then activates a driving circuit to make a motor rotate forward, opening the trash can lid. After a brief delay, it instructs the driving circuit to make the motor rotate backward, closing the lid. Once the lid is closed, the microcontroller then enters the sleep state.
• After the microcontroller has been in the sleep state for a specific preset duration, a watchdog timer located within the microcontroller wakes it up to return to the working state, thereby repeating the entire detection and response process while in standby.

Litigation Information:
The patent is associated with several ongoing legal actions. A PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case, IPR2025-01369, has been filed and is currently pending or instituted. Additionally, a US case has been filed in the California Central District Court. The patent family also indicates "First worldwide family litigation filed." No specific CAFC 2026 dockets directly citing US10928796 were found through the provided search results, although appeals from PTAB or District Court cases could potentially reach the CAFC. The patent's legal status is listed as "Active - Reinstated."