Abstract: An optical safety beam method and system. A transmitter periodically sends bursts of light pulses with varying strengths. The receiver analyzes the received light pulses to automatically adjust its sensitivity and to detect when the light path is partially obstructed even when there are stray light pulse reflections that reach the receiver.

Abstract: A hands-free towel dispenser includes a housing having an internal volume that may contain at least one roll of towel material. Within the dispenser a dispensing mechanism is in communication with a sensor system which scans for the presence of a user at a first pulse rate and initiates a dispense cycle upon sensing a user. The sensor system is in electrical communication with a control circuit which determines the time that has elapsed from the last dispense cycle and compare the elapsed time with a preset value. If the elapsed time is greater than the preset value, the control circuit configures the sensor system to scan for the presence of a user at a second pulse rate. Upon detecting a user, the control circuit initiates a dispense cycle and sets the sensor system to scan for the presence of a user at the first pulse rate.

Abstract: A hands-free towel dispenser for dispensing a measured sheet from a roll of towel material includes a housing having an internal volume so as to retain at least one roll of towel material therein. An electronically powered dispensing mechanism is contained within the housing for dispensing a measured sheet from the roll of towel material upon actuation of the dispensing mechanism. A sensor is contained within the housing to detect an object placed within a detection zone of the sensor. Control circuitry is configured with the sensor and dispensing mechanism to initiate a dispense cycle upon detection of an object by the sensor. The sensor is disposed relative to the housing such that the detection zone is defined substantially below a bottom surface of the housing requiring that an object must be placed at a location below the housing to be detected by the sensor.