Abstract: An automatic portion control system, comprising: a dispensing mechanism adapted for dispensing a first substance into a container; a scale adapted for weighing said container; and control circuitry adapted for reading a container weight from said scale and controlling said dispensing mechanism accordingly. The invention further comprises a method for dispensing a product into a container, comprising the steps of: weighing a container; and dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container.

Abstract: An automatic portion control system, comprising: a dispensing mechanism adapted for dispensing a first substance into a container; a scale adapted for weighing said container; and control circuitry adapted for reading a container weight from said scale and controlling said dispensing mechanism accordingly. The invention further comprises a method for dispensing a product into a container, comprising the steps of: weighing a container; and dispensing the product into the container until reaching the estimated filled weight of the container.

Abstract: A detection apparatus comprising a device adapted for transmitting a transmitted serial data stream and receiving a received serial data stream, and further comprising a sensor adapted for receiving the transmitted serial data stream from the device, returning the received serial data stream to the device when a transmission medium is in a Data Pass Through State, and not returning the received serial data stream to the device when the transmission medium is in a No Data Pass Through State. The transmission medium is influenced by an external event. The device verifies the received serial data stream against the transmitted serial data stream to verify the transmission medium is in the Data Pass Through State and to determine whether the external event has influenced the transmission medium.

Abstract: A proximity detection apparatus for detecting objects within a predetermined space. The apparatus comprises a transmitter, a receiver, a processor, and a power supply that provides electrical potential to the transmitter, the receiver, and the processor. The processor produces transmitted data bursts to the transmitter, the transmitter emits optical data bursts toward the predetermined space where, if the object is present, the optical data bursts reflect off of the object as return optical bursts. The receiver detects the return optical bursts and transmits received data bursts to the processor. The processor compares the received data bursts against the transmitted data bursts to verify that the object is present in the predetermined space. The processor produces an output signal to control equipment based the object being present or absent from the predetermined space. A dispensing system embodiment may include a portion control device.

Abstract: A proximity detection apparatus for detecting objects within a predetermined region. The apparatus comprises a transmitter, a receiver, a microcontroller, and a power supply that provides electrical potential to the transmitter, the receiver, and the microcontroller. The microcontroller produces transmitted data bursts to the transmitter, the transmitter emits optical data bursts toward the predetermined region where, if the object is present, the optical data bursts reflect off of the object as return optical bursts. The receiver detects the return optical bursts and transmits received data bursts to the microcontroller. The microcontroller compares the received data bursts against the transmitted data bursts to verify that the object is present in the predetermined region. The microcontroller produces an output signal to control equipment based the object being present or absent from the predetermined region.