Optical vend-sensing system for control of vending machine
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
Stats
-
Mar 11, 2008
Grant Date -
Apr 19, 2007
app pub date -
Dec 15, 2006
filing date -
Apr 29, 1998
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
Importance
Loading Importance Indicators... 
Abstract
For ensuring that a vending machine motor will continue to operate until a product has descended through a vending space or an established time interval has elapsed, an optical beam is established across the vend space through which a product must drop. A change in beam intensity is detected. By preference infra red light is emitted at one focal point of an elliptical reflector, and detected at the other focal point. The light is emitted in pulses in the preferred embodiment, and the optical sensing system has automated calibration and error detecting functions.
First Claim
Other Claims data not available
