Abstract: A circuit tracks the total amount of time that a host device has spent in its high power “activated” state (an optionally idle and hibernate states) and thereby can estimate the total power consumed by the tag. A remote device can query the state of a counter storing a value representing this time to accurately determine how much of the energy has been consumed by the host device and how much time is left and/or how many more operations can be performed before the host device's battery is exhausted.

Abstract: The present invention such as active diagnostic algorithms is developed not only to realize the early detection of degraded vacuum pumps for the protection of pump failure but also to provide their predictive maintenance. According to the present invention, it is possible to find simple and effective ways to deal with technical problems arising from the large variability of the pump-by-pump operation characteristics and the multiple process conditions where pumps run under the idle operation and gas-loaded operation conditions alternately, especially in semiconductor manufacturing process.

Abstract: A run-time meter for monitoring at least the amount of time a piece of equipment has been operating. The run-time meter comprises a counter and a blind interface. The counter is actuated to begin counting when the piece of equipment operates. The counter is adapted to register run-time data including at least the cumulative amount of time the piece of equipment operates. The counter has a memory portion for storing the run-time data and for storing a unique identifier selectively associated with the piece of equipment. The blind interface is in communication with the counter to permit the run-time data to be extracted from the memory portion of the counter by an external reader while preventing a user from perceiving the run-time data via the blind interface.

Abstract: A performance monitor device includes an input unit to input both of address information and event occurrence information, an address mask unit to determine an address area to which each piece of the inputted address information belongs, an execution frequency counter to count a number of times of execution of programs in the address areas, an execution frequency holding unit to hold a counting result of the number of times of execution, an event occurrence information counter to count the event occurrence information corresponding to the address areas having the counting result of the number of times of execution included within a predetermined number of highest ranks, a holding unit to hold a counting results of the event occurrence information, and a storing unit to store the counting result of the event occurrence information corresponding to the address area having the highest number of times of execution in predetermined periods.

Abstract: Provided is a sealed cartridge for housing audio video media, the cartridge comprising an electrical counter displaying at least two different counting languages. The electrical counter configured to increment a count when the cartridge is in an audio video player device and the housed audio video media is accessed. An audio video media incorporating the electrical counter and a method of monitoring access to audio video media are also provided. Communication of usage counts over the Internet and processing payments to retailers, copyright holder and others are also provided.

Abstract: A control unit is disclosed for controlling the usage of an electrical device, such as a television. The control unit maintains a plurality of time accounts for a plurality of users. The control unit, responsive to receiving a request to operate the electrical device from a user, identifies a time account for the user and begins decrementing time from the time account for the user when the electrical device is turned on. The control unit decrements time from the time account based on one or more desired algorithms. The algorithms as disclosed herein cause the control unit to continue decrementing time from the time account of the user even after the electrical device is shut off.

Abstract: An extremely low overhead method calculates CPU load in the presence of both CPU idling and frequency scaling. The method measures time the CPU is idled while waiting for a wakeup. This invention uses a feature in current DSPs with the capability of delaying ISR processing on wake from IDLE. Using this mechanism it is possible to determine the time before IDLE, the time immediately following CPU wakeup, and then run the wakeup ISR. The delta time can be accumulated and compared to total time to determine true CPU load.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for monitoring usage of one or more power tools, the system comprising setting means by which a prescribed extent of usage of a tool can be set. The prescribed extent of usage is determined by conversion of usage units into time units using a conversion function specific to said tool, wherein the conversion function is dependent upon operational characteristics of said tool. The apparatus or system further comprise sensing means for sensing usage of a tool, timing means for timing the duration of usage of the tool in accordance with said sensing means, and control means arranged to provide indication when the timed duration of usage of said tool reaches or exceeds the prescribed duration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to applicator counters and assemblies for counting, recording and transmitting cycles of machines, tools and the like. An applicator counter assembly for operative association with an applicator or the like is provided. The applicator counter assembly includes an applicator counter for counting, recording and transmitting cycles of the applicator. The applicator counter includes a magnetically responsive switch capable of being actuated in response to a magnetic force, whereby the applicator counter registers a count for each actuation of the switch.

Abstract: An exemplary monitoring device includes: a time chip connected to a connector to generate a time signal and a count signal when the connector is working, the time signal indicating how long the connector is in use, the count signal indicating that the total number of times the connector has been used should be incremented by one; a processor connected to the time chip to receive the time signal and count signal, and generate a data signal including a total service time and a total number of times the connector has been used; a clock generator connected to the processor to provide a clock signal; and an output port connected to the processor to output the data signal. The monitoring device keeps a watch on a connector for showing the service information about the connector to make an operator know if the connector needs to be replaced.

Abstract: An electric pulse counter for counting and recording the number of insects killed in a commercial insect electrocutor through an on-site field server is disclosed. The pulse counter is configured of field servers 100, an internet 40, an administrative computer 60, and user terminals 50. An insect electrocutor 20 is positioned near each of the field servers 100 for attracting insects present in the agricultural region and killing them by electrical discharge. An electromagnetic detection coil 10 is disposed above or around the insect electrocutor 20 for detecting changes in the electromagnetic field caused by such electrical discharges. An AC signal converter circuit 30 is disposed in each field server 100 and connected to the lead wire of the corresponding electromagnetic detection coil 10 for generating a digital count pulse from the signal outputted by the electromagnetic detection coil 10.

Abstract: A vehicle technician time clock tool comprises a computer-implemented interface to a database, wherein the database contains vehicle service task-related information and time-related information, the vehicle service task-related information and time-related information pertaining to at least one vehicle technician, and a computer-implemented graphical user display (GUI), wherein the GUI displays in real time at least some of the vehicle service task-related information, at least some of the time-related information, and at least one calculation based on at least some of the time-related information.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, electronic device, and computer readable medium for determining an end-of-life stage of the flash memory. The method comprises detecting at least one life cycle event associated with a flash memory residing on an electronic device A counter that is associated with the life cycle event is then incremented. Based on the counter, a total number of occurrences for the one life cycle event is determined. The total number of occurrences for the at least one given threshold are also determined. A current life cycle stage of the flash memory is identified based at least in part on the determining if the total number of occurrences exceeds at least one given threshold. The life cycle stage is associated with the at least one given threshold. A user is then notified of the life cycle state of the flash memory.

Abstract: A reproduction time measuring circuit for measuring a reproduction time of digital data sampled at a predetermined frequency, the circuit comprises: a count circuit configured to count a clock of the predetermined frequency while the digital data is stored in an output buffer configured to output the digital data in accordance with the clock; and a reproduction time signal output circuit configured to output a reproduction time signal indicating that the digital data has been reproduced for a time corresponding to the predetermined value, when a count value of the clock output from the count circuit reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: An integrated circuit, including: a pulse generator adapted to generate a pulsed signal; a cycle counter adapted to count cycles of the pulsed signal; one or more repairable circuit elements; and a repair processor adapted to repair a repairable circuit element when the cycle counter reaches a pre-determined cycle count.

Abstract: A digital engine operating time measuring apparatus for an internal combustion engine. The apparatus is powered by a magneto of the engine and accumulates engine operating time only when the engine is operating. The apparatus includes power regulation circuitry including a pair of terminals coupled to the engine magneto. The power regulation circuitry converts a time varying electrical signal generated by the magneto when the engine is operating to a low voltage DC signal. The apparatus further includes digital circuitry coupled to an output of the power regulation circuitry for calculating accumulated engine operating time. The digital circuitry is powered by the low voltage DC signal of the power regulation circuitry and only accumulates engine operating time upon sensing the low voltage DC signal. The apparatus further includes a display coupled to the digital circuitry for displaying accumulated engine operating time as calculated by the digital circuitry.

Abstract: A self-powered tire revolution counter includes a motion sensitive power generation mechanism, a power conditioner, a pulse detector, a microcontroller, and, optionally, a radio frequency (RF) transmitting device. In one exemplary embodiment, the power generation mechanism corresponds to a piezoelectric patch that, during movement, provides both operating electrical power and pulsed signals indicative of tire rotation. The power conditioner receives a generator signal from the power generation mechanism and produces a conditioned output voltage that can be used to power associated electronic devices, including the microcontroller. The pulse detector receives the generator signal and produces a detection signal whenever the generator signal meets a predetermined condition. The microcontroller is programmed to determine current and lifetime-accumulated values of selected pulse indications in the detection signal that meet predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A non-volatile counter circuit includes a state machine having a first input for receiving one or more control signals, a second input for receiving a current count value, a third input for receiving historical information, and an output for providing a next count value and an up/down control signal, and a non-volatile counter having an input coupled to the output of the state machine, and an output for providing a non-volatile count value. The non-volatile counter can be implemented onto a single integrated circuit using ferroelectric memory technology. The non-volatile counter circuit includes a first power supply node and a second power supply node for receiving power for operating the non-volatile-counter circuit through a first power supply or a second power supply, or both. The first and second power supplies can be low energy power supplies such as that provided by a sensor, or can be conventional power supplies.

Abstract: An induction heat treating process with a remote sensor for monitoring the duration of energization of an induction heating coil each time the induction heating coil is consecutively cycled. An identifying tag is preferably attached to, embedded within the induction heating coil or within the surrounding area of the induction coil and transmits a signal to a remote counting sensor that is preferably triggered by and responds to the change in voltage generated as the coil is energized. Alternative means of measuring a cycle may be implemented. The output data from the sensor provides useful information for determining the lifespan of an induction heating coil. Predicting the lifespan of a coil optimizes production by anticipating failure and replacement of a coil during a predetermined down time, limiting on-site inventory, and revolutionizing the billing cycle based on a per cycle cost while decreasing overall production costs and improving inductor coil quality.

Abstract: An induction heat treating process with a sensor for monitoring the duration of energization of an induction heating coil each time the induction heating coil is consecutively cycled. The sensor is preferably a counting mechanism attached to or embedded within the induction heating coil and is preferably triggered by and responds to the change in voltage generated as the coil is energized. Alternative means of measuring a cycle may be implemented. The output data from the sensor provides useful information for determining the lifespan of an induction heating coil. Predicting the lifespan of a coil optimizes production by anticipating failure and replacement of a coil during a predetermined down time, limiting on-site inventory, and revolutionizing the billing cycle based on a per cycle cost while decreasing overall production costs and improving inductor coil quality.

Abstract: An apparatus for calculating a cost of receiving multicast data from a multicast session. A multicast network includes at least one multicast service, each multicast service including at least one multicast session. The apparatus receives a request to establish a connection to the multicast session, stores a start time for the connection and an end time for the connection and, after termination of the connection, calculates the cost of receiving the multicast data The apparatus can receive a subsequent request to extend the connection, the subsequent request specifying a new end time for the connection, and store the new end time for the connection. Alternatively, the apparatus can receive a subsequent request to terminate the connection, the subsequent request specifying a new end time that precedes the end time for the connection, and store the new end time for the connection.

Abstract: A fault state detector for a ring counter is formed from unit current sources each switched under the control of a different one of the outputs of the ring counter. The currents switched in that manner are passed through a unit resistance to generate a voltage signal proportional to the number of asserted outputs from the ring counter. The voltage signal is compared to boundary reference values for valid states of the ring counter outputs and, if the voltage signal is not between the boundary reference values, a fault state is indicated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated circuit comprising a first clock circuit delivering a first clock signal, a second clock circuit delivering a second clock signal, a first counting circuit for delivering a time base signal using a clock signal and a counting value, and means for applying the first clock signal and a first counting value to the first counting circuit, so as to produce a first time base signal. According to the present invention, the integrated circuit comprises means for producing a second time base signal using the second clock signal and a second counting value, and means for calibrating the second counting value such that it is equal or proportional to the number of periods of the second clock signal occurring during a determined time interval equal to a period or to a whole number of periods of the first time base signal. Application particularly to the management of a timer in a microprocessor.

Abstract: A system and method for performing counting operations for a plurality of components is disclosed. A memory stores a plurality of counts from different components. The memory is coupled to a counter and the plurality of counts are accessible to the adder for adding addends to the plurality of counts. A count engine controls the adding of the addends to the plurality of counts.

Abstract: A ones counter that accepts a binary input word of ones and zeros and provides a binary output word indicative of the number of ones within the input word. A two-dimensional array is built with a plurality of like cells connected in a regular manner with the first row of the array determining the least significant bit of the output word and each subsequent row determining the output word's next most significant bit. The first row of the array contains approximately one-half the number of cells as bits in the input word with each subsequent row of the array containing approximately one-half the number of cells of the preceding row with the final row containing a single cell that determines the most significant bit of the binary output word. The ones-count output word is computed asynchronously without clocking circuits or data storage elements.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring event occurrences, e.g., from an event signal, where a register and a counter are employed. In one embodiment, the register is designed to have a capture bit for capturing the occurrence of a monitored event. The shifting of the stored information within the capture bit to other bit locations within the register is controlled by a shift rate signal operating at a particular interval time period. At the expiration of the interval time period, the stored information in the capture bit is shifted within the register, where the capture bit is now free to detect the next occurrence of the monitored event. Since the register has a finite number of bit locations, as the captured information exists and/or enters the register, a counter is triggered to record the number of occurrences of monitored events.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a duration of an internal timing signal in an integrated circuit with a value close to a typical value of the duration may include activating the internal timing signal in the integrated circuit and sequentially sending calibration values to an input of the integrated circuit. The expiration of the internal timing signal may determine the last calibration value received or being received, and the calibration data may be applied to a device for adjusting the duration of the internal timing signal.

Abstract: A method and a device for recording the curve of information. The information is scanned using a specifiable scanning period. The information is specifically the operating data of a motor vehicle. The scanned information is subjected to a data reduction, and then the reduced information is stored. To record the curve of relevant digital information, in particular, of the operating data of a motor vehicle, so as to use the least possible storage space, it is proposed that, in the context of the data reduction, the curve of the scanned information be viewed in a time raster of a multiple of the scanning period, and, within the individual raster increments, at least one characteristic variable of the curve of the scanned information be determined. The device is advantageously a component part of a control device for controlling/regulating specific motor-vehicle components or of an operating- or accident-data recorder of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for counting the rotation frequency of a numeral wheel of a meter to be used for a remote metering system. A light reflection tape is coated on one of low placed numeral wheels. A light sensor unit has an opaque case formed with first and second holes in which an infrared ray emitter and an infrared ray sensor are located, respectively. The light sensor unit is fixedly mounted on the ceiling of a rectangular shaped housing which is detachably coupled with a meter to cover the front of the meter. A portion of the housing over numeral wheels and a front plate of the meter is transparent. The transparent portion of the housing has an infrared ray rejection function to prevent infrared rays from entering into the housing. In place of employing such housing, a light shield may be used to shield a space between the light sensor unit and the light reflection tape coated numeral wheel from outer light.

Abstract: A host computer is used in a supporting system for supporting a user of a plurality of looms. The host computer includes a database section for storing specifications information relating to specifications of each of a plurality of looms, the specifications information including apparatus information relating to an operating apparatus provided in each loom, and an advice information providing section for receiving query information sent via a communications way, and identifying a loom based on the received query information, and creating advice information with respect to the identified loom based on specifications information extracted from the database section with respect to the loom, and providing the advice information.

Abstract: An improved system for providing early warning preemptive postal equipment replacement. Selected performance parameters the postal equipment are monitored and compared against predetermined operational boundaries. The system is capable of providing for variability in the performance parameters, wherein these parameters may be permitted to vary over time and usage of the equipment. The monitoring gives an indication of the overall system performance. If the system performance goes outside of operational boundaries, or changes significantly over time, replacement of the equipment can then be scheduled with minimal inconvenience to the customer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for counting the rotation frequency of a numeral wheel of a meter to be used for a remote metering system. A light reflection tape is coated on one of low placed numeral wheels. A light sensor unit has an opaque case formed with first and second holes in which an infrared ray emitter and an infrared ray sensor are located, respectively. The light sensor unit is fixedly mounted on the ceiling of a rectangular shaped housing which is detachably coupled with a meter to cover the front of the meter. A portion of the housing over numeral wheels and a front plate of the meter is transparent. The transparent portion of the housing has an infrared ray rejection function to prevent infrared rays from entering into the housing. In place of employing such housing, a light shield may be used to shield a space between the light sensor unit and the light reflection tape coated numeral wheel from outer light.

Abstract: An induction heat treating process with a sensor for counting the amount of cycles attributable to an inductor coil. The sensor is preferably a counting mechanism attached to or embedded within the induction coil and is preferably triggered by and responds to the change in voltage generated as the coil is energized. Alternative means of measuring a cycle may be implemented. The output data from the sensor provides useful information for determining the lifespan of an induction coil. Predicting the lifespan of a coil optimizes production by anticipating failure and replacement of a coil during a predetermined down time, limiting on-site inventory, and revolutionizing the billing cycle based on a per cycle cost while decreasing overall production costs and improving inductor coil quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for overload-free driving of an actuator, in which an activation counter is incremented or decremented each time an activation request signal occurs, in which, depending on each occurrence of an activation request signal, a drive signal for the actuator is generated if the counter reading of the activation counter is less than or greater than a predetermined maximum or minimum counter reading, in which the counter reading is in each case decremented or incremented if the time since the last generation of a drive signal or since the deactivation of the drive signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined or predeterminable interval time or if the time since the last decrementing of the activation counter is greater than or equal to the interval time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are arranged to provide a multi-bit digital signal that represents a normalized percentage of time that a signal is active. The apparatus includes an N-bit counter that is periodically reset to an initialization condition, and a logic block that processes the output of the N-bit counter. The N-bit counter is arranged to evaluate a monitored signal for each cycle of a clock signal, and modify the count accordingly. The logic block is configured to periodically scan the output of the N-bit counter after the expiration of a sampling time interval. The sampling time interval is determined by a timing circuit such as a window counter that is operated from the clock signal. The logic block periodically evaluates the output of the N-bit counter and provides the normalized multi-bit digital signal.

Abstract: A revolution counter; includes a base body having a sensor arrangement and a power supply device which supplies energy to the sensor arrangement, and a rotary element connectable to a revolving member and rotating relative to the base body about a rotation axis. The rotary element includes a magnet arrangement, which so interacts with the power supply device that the sensor arrangement is supplied with energy during each revolution of the rotary element in at least three rotary positions of the rotary element regardless of a rotation speed of the rotary element to thereby allow the sensor arrangement to ascertain a rotary position of the rotary element. In order to prevent a transmission of mechanical forces from the rotary element to the base body, the rotary element is positioned with respect to the base body either without connection to the base body, or held by the base body at three-dimensional play.

Abstract: A revolution counter includes a single sensor which scans movement of a rotary element and generates a raw signal commensurate with a rotary position of the rotary element for ascertaining one of at least three areas of angular ranges. Two of these areas include each a single continuous angular range, whereas a third area includes at least two angular ranges, which interrelate but are separated from one another. A power generation system delivers energy pulses to the sensor, when the rotary element rotates below a minimum value, so that a raw signal can be detected and the corresponding angular range area can be determined. The power generation system and the rotary element are so interconnected as to ascertain for at least part of the thus determined areas of angular ranges, by which of the angular ranges the rotary element is rotated, and to establish the number of revolutions based on the ascertained angular ranges.

Abstract: A device which measures individual employee usage of a liquid product or hand soap dispenser as part of an overall hygiene compliance program. The dispenser consists of a self-contained keypad/display module which is attached to a standard hand soap dispenser. An employee enters a unique personal ID code and then activates the dispenser. The dispenser counts all inputs to the dispenser in order to generate meaningful data for management. Alternatively, the dispenser may only track and report total usage and not account for individual employee usage.

Abstract: The invention herein provides a supervisory circuit which is adapted to monitor an input signal and produce as an output signal, a parametric signal corresponding to the input signal. The circuit includes an input for receiving the input signal, and a stochastic processor coupled to the input for receiving the input signal and processing it to derive a signal that represents a parametric measure of the input signal. An output connected to said stochastic processor provides the parametric output signal as an output for supervisory purposes.

Abstract: An improved DDLL containing a majority filter counter circuit is disclosed. The majority filter counter circuit is located between the phase detector and the shift register of the DDLL. The majority filter counter circuit receives shifting commands from the phase detector and filters the shift commands from reaching the shift register until a predetermined number (e.g., 16) have been received from the phase detector before transmitting a shift command (either shift right or shift left) to the shift register. Once the shift register receives the shift command, the shift register directs the delay line to shift by one tap in either a shift right or a shift left direction depending upon the phase relationship between CLKIn and CLKOut. By waiting for e.g., 16 shift commands, the majority filter counter circuit ensures that a premature shift command is not delivered to the shift register in the case of a noise event.

Abstract: A system for rewarding and encouraging compliance with a predetermined personal hygiene standard in a hygiene compliance program. The system comprises a fluid dispenser. The fluid dispenser includes an actuator. A sensor is connected to the actuator. A processor in electrical communication with the sensor. The processor is configured to increment a count when the sensor is actuated, relate the count to the identification code, and compare the count to a predetermined number.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip includes counters. Each one of the counters counts data events, There are a plurality of registers associated with the counters. At lease one of the registers controls the stopping, starting and counting of an associated counter. A command trigger issues a command to the register upon the detection of a hardware event. The command initiates the starting, stopping or counting of the counter associated with the register.

Abstract: A leakage current compensation system and method is disclosed that reduces frequency spurs and phase offset in a frequency synthesizer. The leakage current is determined based on the phase offset of the frequency synthesizer relative to a reference clock. A leakage current compensation circuit provides a leakage current compensation signal to the frequency synthesizer at the loop filter terminals to minimize the phase offset.

Abstract: Method and device to update a data count in a data transfer operation in which a data counter generates an intermediate count value in accordance with a first amount of data to be transferred to a storage media; and an augmenter augments the intermediate count value by a specified count value in accordance with data to be transferred to the storage media in addition to the first amount of data, wherein the updated count value is loaded into the data counter such that the intermediate count value becomes equal to the updated count value during the data transfer operation.

Abstract: A duty cycle discriminating circuit used, for example, in a VTR includes an up/down counter with sign bit for counting up or counting down a count clock signal depending on a potential level of a signal to be discriminated. It also includes an up counter for counting up the count clock signal, and an addend data generating circuit for producing an addend data having a value corresponding to a predetermined proportion of a count value of the up counter. There is an addition circuit with sign bit for adding a count value of the up/down counter and the addend data produced by the addend data generating circuit. The sign bit of the addition circuit is outputted as a discrimination result signal of the duty cycle discriminating circuit. The predetermined proportion of the count value up counter is specified to perform duty cycle discrimination of the signal by using a desired threshold point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of missing pulses from a repetitive pulse train including signal detection circuits for capturing the rising and/or falling edges of an input signal, time-stamping the captured edges, calculating the maximum and minimum instantaneous frequency over a specified time period, and displaying such frequency values. Instantaneous frequency values between any two adjacent edges are calculated based upon the time-stamps of the edges. The instantaneous frequency values in a specified time period are then sorted to find the minimum and maximum frequency values for that time period. These instantaneous frequency values are displayed in the form of a histogram evidencing the occurrence or lack of occurrence of missing pulses from the input signal.

Abstract: The rotation of a pneumatic tire is monitored by a self powered tire revolution counter. A piezoelectric (“piezol”) element is mounted in the tire in a manner so as to be subjected to periodic mechanical stresses as the tire rotates and to provide periodic pulses in response thereto. The output of the piezo element is utilized by revolution counting circuitry to count rotations of the tire, as well as by power circuitry to power the revolution counting circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention is an efficient system and method for flexible masking of output bits from a counter. The maskable counter system and method of the present invention modify the chain carry fed into a counter so that any bit (or bits) of the counter may be masked. A masked bit of a maskable counter system and method is utilized to facilitate user programmable control of multiple configurations in a memory. A maskable counter system comprises a mask register (e.g., a D flip flop), a counter (e.g., a D flip flop), and a masking coordination circuit. The masking coordination circuit permits a carry in signal, a carry out signal, and a counter output bit signal to operate in a normal incrementation manner if a mask bit is not asserted and prevents the counter output bit signal from changing if the mask bit is asserted.

Abstract: A device which measures individual employee usage of a liquid product or hand soap dispenser as part of an overall hygiene compliance program. The dispenser consists of a self-contained keypad/display module which is attached to a standard hand soap dispenser. An employee enters a unique personal ID code and then activates the dispenser. The dispenser counts all inputs to the dispenser in order to generate meaningful data for management. Alternatively, the dispenser may only track and report total usage and not account for individual employee usage.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing powder foods or liquids has a scoop for containing the powder or liquid, and levelling means for levelling off the scoop contents, wherein the levelling means co-operates with a counter such that operation of the levelling means is adapted to advance the counter, the counter being characterised in that the counter may be reset to zero in a single step process.