The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 22, 2014
Filed:
Apr. 24, 2012
Applicants:
Stewart D. Lees, Fife, GB;
Ross Johnston, Fife, GB;
Inventors:
Stewart D. Lees, Fife, GB;
Ross Johnston, Fife, GB;
Assignee:
NCR Corporation, Duluth, GA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G06Q 40/00 (2012.01); G07D 11/00 (2006.01); G07F 19/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
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.