Thread: Automatic Sinks
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Old 08-01-2007, 01:26 PM   #4 (permalink)
Jinn
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The same way a cat can set off infrared burglar alarms. All it takes is a temporary breaking of the beam for it to dispense. It could be anything floating across the path of the beam near the dispenser; dust, loose paper; even a shadow cast by another object, broken by your movement.

It's the same process used in most automatic garage door open/closers. Some use resistance against the chain, but most just shoot a beam across the opening. If anything breaks the beam, the door will reverse direction.
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