Reflective Plate Mask for Media Container Empty Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for determining the empty condition of media containers in self-service terminals, such as ATMs, are prone to errors and are costly, often incorrectly flagging an empty situation when items remain or requiring multiple sensors.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus featuring a reflective plate member and a mask element that moves to different positions as items are dispensed, using a pivot arm and electromagnetic radiation detection to reliably indicate when a container is becoming empty and fully empty, utilizing a single sensor and reducing the need for multiple apertures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and detectors are used to determine empty condition, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the detection of both 'becoming empty' and 'fully empty' conditions into a single optical sensor system. The reflective plate member with its specific geometric features (angled surface and leading edge) works with one sensor to provide multiple detection states, eliminating the need for separate sensors for different detection purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective plate member serves multiple functions: it indicates the 'becoming empty' state through its angled reflective surface and the 'fully empty' state through its leading edge. A single optical sensor detects both states by monitoring different reflective patterns, making the detection system universal for multiple detection needs.
2Ease of operation
If infrared emitter and receiver are used to detect empty condition, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to false positives
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective plate member has different local reflective properties: the angled surface reflects radiation at specific angles to indicate 'becoming empty', while the leading edge reflects radiation differently to indicate 'fully empty'. This local differentiation of reflective characteristics enables reliable distinction between detection states.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of detecting the absence of media directly, the system detects the presence and position of the reflective plate member. The plate member is designed to reflect radiation back to the sensor only in specific positions, inverting the detection logic from 'detecting emptiness' to 'detecting plate position'.
3Measurement precision
If multiple apertures are provided for sensor detection, then measurement precision is improved, but security deteriorates due to increased vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into a single aperture location. The single optical sensor detects both 'becoming empty' and 'fully empty' conditions through different reflective patterns from the plate member, eliminating the need for multiple apertures and reducing security vulnerabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a reliable and cost-effective method to determine when a media container is becoming empty and fully empty, reducing false positives and the complexity of multiple sensors, while enhancing security by minimizing apertures for radiation detection.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electromagnetic radiation detector that detects electromagnetic radiation reflected from the reflective region
Data Source
AI summary
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.