Patent ID: 8323419

Claim:
A method for controlling a dispenser apparatus reversibly positioned in the interior of a dishwasher, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a light transmitting unit as part of said dispenser or as part of said dishwasher, said transmitting unit capable of emitting light pulses; b. providing a light receiving unit as part of said dispenser or as part of said dishwasher, said receiving unit capable of receiving light pulses; c. emitting a first light pulse I 1 from said transmitting unit into the interior of said dishwasher, said pulse having a predefined pulse duration of l t1 ; d. receiving said first light pulse I 1 by said receiving unit, said reception initiating a time lapse measurement beginning at time t I1 ; e. emitting a second light pulse I 2 from said transmitting unit into the interior of said dishwasher, said pulse having a predefined pulse duration of l t2 ; f. receiving said second light pulse I 2 by said receiving unit, said reception terminating said time lapse measurement at time t I2 ; g. calculating the time difference t I2 −t I1 ; and h. encoding an information item or the portion of an information item based on said time difference.