Methods and systems for controlling a dispensing apparatus

A system for controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet, the system comprising:

• a first illumination source having a first field of illumination;
• a second illumination source having a second field of illumination;
• a first pair of optical sensors located on opposite sides of the first illumination source, and a second pair of optical sensors located on opposite sides of the second illumination source;
• and
• a control circuit responsive to the first and second pairs of optical sensors to initiate dispensing of a material through the dispensing outlet when the first and second optical sensors sense a receiving member positioned within the first field of illumination and the second field of illumination.

A system for controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet, the system comprising:

• a first illumination source having a first field of illumination;
• a second illumination source having a second field of illumination;
• at least one second optical sensor;
• a control circuit coupled to the at least one optical sensor to initiate dispensing of a material through the dispensing outlet when the at least one optical sensor senses a receiving member positioned within the first field of illumination and the second field of illumination;
• and
• a second system for controlling a second dispensing apparatus having a second dispensing outlet comprising a third illumination source having a third field of illumination, wherein at least one of the first illumination source and the second illumination source is driven upon extinguishing of the third illumination source of the second system.

A method of controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet located above a receiving position, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first illumination source for radiating energy in a first field of illumination;
• providing a second illumination source for radiating energy in a second field of illumination, the second field of illumination intersecting the first field of illumination to create an intersection region at the receiving position;
• providing at least one optical sensor;
• and
• initiating a dispensing of a material through the dispensing outlet when the at least one optical sensor senses a receiving member positioned within the intersection region based on an intensity of the energy from the first and second illumination sources reflected from the receiving member.

A method of controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first illumination source having a first field of illumination;
• providing a second illumination source having a second field of illumination;
• providing a first pair of optical sensors located on opposite sides of the first illumination source, and a second pair of optical sensors located on opposite sides of the second illumination source;
• and
• initiating a dispensing of a material through the dispensing outlet when the first and second pairs of optical sensors sense a receiving member positioned within the first field of illumination and the second field of illumination.

A method for controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet, the method comprising:

• providing a first illumination source having a first field of illumination;
• providing a second illumination source having a second field of illumination;
• providing at least one second optical sensor;
• initiating a dispensing of a material through the dispensing outlet when the at least one optical sensor senses a receiving member positioned within the first field of illumination and the second field of illumination;
• and
• providing a third illumination source independent of the first and second illumination sources having a third field of illumination, wherein at least one of the first illumination source and the second illumination source is driven upon extinguishing of the third illumination source.

A system for controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet located above a receiving position, the system comprising:

• at least one illumination source for radiating energy;
• a first optical sensor having a first field of view;
• a second optical sensor having a second field of view, the second field of view intersecting the first field of view to create an intersection region at the receiving position;
• and
• a control circuit responsive to the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor to initiate dispensing of a material through the dispensing outlet when a receiving member is sensed within the intersection region based on an intensity of the energy from the at least one illumination source reflected from the receiving member.

A system for controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet, the system comprising:

• at least one illumination source;
• a first optical sensor having a first field of view;
• a second optical sensor having a second field of view, wherein the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are located on opposite sides of the at least one illumination source;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor to initiate dispensing of a material through the dispensing outlet when a receiving member is sensed by one of the first and second optical sensors within the first field of view and the second field of view.

A system for controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet, the system comprising:

• at least one illumination source;
• a first optical sensor having a first field of view;
• a second optical sensor having a second field of view;
• a control circuit coupled to the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor to initiate dispensing of a material through the dispensing outlet when a receiving member is sensed by one of the first and second optical sensors within the first field of view and the second field of view;
• and
• a second system for controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet and a second illumination source, wherein the at least one illumination source is driven upon extinguishing of the second illumination source of the second system.

A method of controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet located above a receiving position, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one illumination source for radiating energy;
• providing a first optical sensor having a first field of view;
• providing a second optical sensor having a second field of view, the second field of view intersecting the first field of view to create an intersection region at the receiving position;
• and
• initiating a dispensing of a material through the dispensing outlet when a receiving member is sensed within the intersection region based on an intensity of the energy reflected from the at least one illumination source reflected from the receiving member.

A method of controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one illumination source;
• providing a first optical sensor having a first field of view;
• providing a second optical sensor having a second field of view, wherein the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are located on opposite sides of the at least one illumination source;
• and
• initiating a dispensing of a material through the dispensing outlet when a receiving member is sensed by one of the first and second optical sensors within the first field of view by the first optical sensor and within the second field of view by the second optical sensor.

A method for controlling a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing outlet, the method comprising:

• providing at least one illumination source;
• providing a first optical sensor having a first field of view;
• providing a second optical sensor having a second field of view;
• initiating a dispensing of a material through the dispensing outlet when a receiving member is sensed within the first field of view by the first optical sensor and within the second field of view by the second optical sensor;
• and
• providing a second illumination source independent of the at least one illumination source, wherein the at least one illumination source is driven upon extinguishing of the second illumination source.