Method and apparatus for use in a vending machine
OwnerBrent D. GARSON, Aviel DAFNA +2inventors
InventorsBrent D. GARSON, Aviel DAFNA, Alessandro RATTI, Ezio Cesare RATTI
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Abstract
During operation of a vending machine, a dispensed product moves from a product dispensing location to a product retrieval location. To detect movement of the dispensed product to the dispensing location, the intensity of light at an array of pixels is monitored. The monitored array of pixels forms a portion of a larger group of pixels. A change in the intensity of light at pixels in the array of pixels is detected upon movement of a dispensed product to a product retrieval location.
Claims13
A method comprising the steps of providing a vending machine having a plurality of product dispensing locations from which products are moved to a product retrieval location, monitoring the intensity of light at an array of pixels, detecting a change in the intensity of light at pixels in the array of pixels upon movement of a dispensed product from a product dispensing location to a product retrieval location, and providing a control signal in response to detection of a change in the intensity of light at pixels in the array of pixels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.