Method for detecting quantity of items, and vending machine
US11393274B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F11/58
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Provided are a method for detecting quantity of items and a vending machine. The vending machine includes: an item column configured to temporarily store items, where the item column includes an outlet; a shielding member configured to shield or open the outlet of the item column; and a driving device configured to drive the items in the item column to move toward the outlet of the item column. The method includes: controlling the shielding member to shield the outlet of the item column; driving the items in the item column to move until the items in the item column abut against each other; detecting a total length of all items in the item column; and calculating the quantity of items in the item column according to the total length of the all items and a length of a single item in the item column.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.