State detection
AssigneeNCR Corporation
InventorsStewart D. Lees, Ross Johnston
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for determining an empty condition in an item of media container. The apparatus includes a plate member, comprising a reflective region, that moves towards an empty position as items of media are dispensed from a container, and a mask element which is locatable in a first position as items of media are dispensed, and a further position when the container is empty. An empty condition of the container is determined responsive to the mask element being located in the further position.
Claims19
Apparatus for determining an empty condition in an item of media container, comprising:
- a plate member, comprising a reflective region, that moves towards an empty position as items of media are dispensed from a container;
- and
- a mask element, locatable in a first position as items of media are dispensed and a further position when the container is empty;
- wherein an empty condition of the container is determined responsive to the mask element being located in the further position.
A method of determining an empty condition in an item of media container, comprising the steps of:
- urging a plate member comprising a reflective region towards an empty position as items of media are dispensed from a container;
- locating a mask element in a first position as items of media are dispensed, and in a further position when the container is empty;
- and
- determining that the container is empty responsive to the mask element being located in the further position.
Apparatus for determining a condition of a container, comprising:
- a reflective element that moves with a final item to be dispensed from a container;
- and
- a mask element that masks at least a part of the reflective element as a number of items in the container drops to a first predetermined threshold value and is prevented from masking the reflective element when the number of items in the container drops to a second predetermined threshold value;
- wherein a condition of the container is determined responsive to a revealed area of the reflective element.
Apparatus for determining an empty condition in an item of media container, comprising:
- a plate member, comprising a reflective region, that moves towards an empty position as items of media are dispensed from a container;
- and
- a mask element, locatable in a first position as items of media are dispensed and a further position when the container is empty;
- wherein an empty condition of the container is determined responsive to the mask element being located in the further position;
- wherein, in the first position, the mask element masks a portion of the reflective region as the plate member moves towards the empty position and in the further position, the mask element does not mask any of the reflective region;
- an abutment member biased towards the plate member that locates through an opening in the plate member when the plate member moves to the empty position;
- and
- a pivot arm comprising the abutment member at a first end thereof and the mask element at a further end thereof;
- wherein location of the abutment member in the opening pivots the pivot arm about a pivot point to thereby move the mask element from the first position to the further position.
Apparatus for determining an empty condition in an item of media container, comprising:
- a plate member, comprising a reflective region, that moves towards an empty position as items of media are dispensed from a container;
- a mask element, locatable in a first position as items of media are dispensed and a further position when the container is empty;
- wherein an empty condition of the container is determined responsive to the mask element being located in the further position;
- and
- at least one electromagnetic radiation detector that detects electromagnetic radiation reflected from the reflective region.
A method of determining an empty condition in an item of media container, comprising the steps of:
- urging a plate member comprising a reflective region towards an empty position as items of media are dispensed from a container;
- locating a mask element in a first position as items of media are dispensed, and in a further position when the container is empty;
- determining that the container is empty responsive to the mask element being located in the further position;
- biasing an abutment member towards the plate member whilst items of media are dispensed;
- when a final item of media is dispensed, locating the abutment member through an opening in the plate member;
- pivoting a pivot arm comprising the abutment member at a first end thereof about a pivot point when the abutment member is located through the opening;
- and
- moving the mask element at a further end of the pivot arm from the first position to the further position when the pivot arm pivots.
A method of determining an empty condition in an item of media container, comprising the steps of:
- urging a plate member comprising a reflective region towards an empty position as items of media are dispensed from a container;
- locating a mask element in a first position as items of media are dispensed, and in a further position when the container is empty;
- determining that the container is empty responsive to the mask element being located in the further position;
- and
- detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected by the reflective region as the plate member moves to the empty position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.