Patent ID: 8170713
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A method of selecting a viewable product from within a refrigerated glass front vending machine having an outer transparent glass pane positioned in front of and spaced apart from an inner transparent glass pane, comprising; providing product identification areas at said glass front for a customer to apply a light tap for selecting a said viewable product; placing three or more inertia masses, each supported by a first portion of a resilient member, and each said resilient member having its second portion attached to the said inner transparent glass pane at spaced apart locations for reciprocating at a predetermined rate to the said subsequent natural lateral bending movement of said inner transparent glass pane resulting from said light tap on said outer transparent glass pane; providing each said resilient member with its said inertia mass to reciprocate for one or more predetermined time periods when said light tap on said outer glass pane is at least at a predetermined level; providing a sensor to produce a signal indicative of the reciprocating movement of each said resilient member; determining when the said at least one predetermined time period occurs from each said sensor; determining the arrival time of said light tap at said sensor from a predetermined point of the first said at least one predetermined time period; determining which of said sensors senses the first said arrival time; determining which of the said sensors senses the second said arrival time; determining which of the said sensors senses the third said arrival time; determining at least two said arrival time differences between the said sensors; determining the selected said product identification area by comparing the said at least two arrival time differences, with the acceptable arrival time differences of each said product identification areas stored in memory; and producing a signal indicating the location of the said light tap representing the said selected said viewable product.