Patent ID: 7743801

Claim:
A touchless dispensing system comprising: a dispenser configured to dispense at least one of ice and at least one liquid; and a detection device positioned with respect to a recess defined within a housing, wherein the recess comprises at least one wall, said detection device configured to detect a container positioned with respect to the dispenser without contacting the container and to detect a presence of a person positioned with respect to said dispenser, said detection device further configured to determine a distance between the container and said at least one wall and to determine a distance between the person and said at least one wall and to generate a signal confirming a position of the container with respect to the dispenser and confirming a position of the person with respect to said dispenser, said dispenser activated to dispense at least one of an amount of ice and an amount of the at least one liquid into the container in response to said signal generated by said detection device confirming the position of the container with respect to the dispenser and confirming the position of the person with respect to said dispenser.