Abstract: In one embodiment, a relative location detection apparatus including a detection unit having a support board having a plurality of spaced reed switches mounted along a lengthwise axis of the support board. Each of the reed switches has a longitudinal axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the support board. A high intensity magnet is coupled to the support board for movement relative to the support board and in a direction substantially parallel to the support board's lengthwise axis. The magnet has north and south poles that are oppositely positioned to one another and directed toward one another across a width of the support board and into periodic alignment with the longitudinal axes of the reed switches. The magnet has a magnetic force sufficiently focused so that the magnet actuates the reed switches individually thereby indicating the magnet's location.

Abstract: An improved liquid level measuring apparatus having a plurality of spaced reed switches having a microprocessor attached to the liquid level measuring sensor apparatus. The switches are wired together in parallel and in sets and are addressed by a shift register for providing a parallel to serial shift of the switch status position to the microprocessor. This allows a reduction in the number of conductors existing the sensor and providing an output signal indicating the vertical position of a float relative to the switches. A microprocessor control notes any inoperative switches, disregards the reading of the inoperative switches in calculating liquid level, and provides stored information to the measurement process for compensating for defective switches.

Abstract: A control system for use with a drink dispenser comprises a mode switch for causing the control system to switch between operation in a program mode and a dispense mode. Volumetric parameter data is provided by a volumetric parameter generator and is representative of dispensed drink volume. A memory stores the volumetric parameter data. A controller is coupled to the mode switch, the memory and the volumetric parameter generator and causes the volumetric parameter data to be stored in the memory while the control system is operating in the program mode and causes drink volume to be dispensed as a function of the stored volumetric parameter data while the control system is operating in the dispense mode.