WO1992008671A1

WO1992008671A1 - Liquid dispensers

Info

Publication number: WO1992008671A1
Application number: PCT/AU1991/000527
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Hetper
Original assignee: Hetper Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1990-11-16
Filing date: 1991-11-18
Publication date: 1992-05-29

Abstract

A beverage dispenser network (10) involving a plurality of programmed beverage dispensers (11) configured for bidirectional communication with a network controller (12), the network controller (12) and dispensers (11) being programmed to enable retrieval of audit data from the respective dispensers, detection of faults in any one of the dispensers and for remote control of the dispenser if desired, each dispenser includes a microprocessor (see fig. 2) and is programmed for communication with the network controller (see fig. 5). A typical dispenser controller (14) is employed with each dispenser (11), the controller (14) includes a microprocessor (15) which drives output solenoids (16) and (17) for control of beverage flow through the dispenser. The operation of the solenoids (16) and (17) is controlled in accordance with programmed instructions stored in EEROM (18). The controller (14) is used to make each of the dispensers (11) programmable liquid dispensers having a selectable programme mode of operation so that the programmed instructions in the EEROM (18) can be altered. Each dispenser includes mode selecting means configured in software (see fig. 3) which responds to operation of an input from a typical keypad (19) whereby selection of a programme mode is made by entering a code via the keypad, the entry of the code involving in this case a user pressing three keys simultaneously (see item 20, fig. 3) to initiate a teach mode or four keys simultaneously (see item 21, fig. 3) to initiate a hardware configuration programme mode.

Description

LIQUID DISPENSERS

TECHNICAL FIELD THIS INVENTION relates to liquid dispensers and in particular to beverage dispensers, and more specifically, this invention relates to a programmable beverage dispenser which can be programmed for selected modes of operation.

BACKGROUND ART Beverage dispensers which involve manual control of the discharge of beverage into a receptacle from the dispenser are susceptible to spillage and/or the receptacle being underfilled and as a consequence, the so called automatic portion controls have been developed which employ a measuring of the amount of pre-mixed beverage in the case of a pre-mix dispenser and measuring the amount of concentrate and diluent, typically soda in the case of a post-mix dispenser, that is discharged from the dispenser. The present invention has specific application to the post- mix dispenser but can be used with any dispenser. In particular, the present invention has more specific application to dispensers where the measurement of beverage to be dispensed is based upon actuating a solenoid valve for a given amount of time. The time is calculated to permit the valve to discharge the desired amount of beverage. Prior art dispensers of this kind suffered a number of disadvantages. For example, it is very common for users to require different features on their beverage dispensers and under these circumstances, it has usually been necessary to custom make dispensers for particular users or alternatively, where a dispenser can be reconfigured, the mechanisms for reconfiguration have involved complicated manual options which are considered unsatisfactory.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to alleviate at least to some degree the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.

In one aspect therefore, the present invention resides in a programmable liquid dispenser having a selectable programme mode of operation, the dispenser including mode selecting means comprising a keypad having a plurality of manually operable keys, a memory for storing therein programmed instructions while the dispenser is in the programme mode of operation, selection of a programme mode being made by entering in a code via the keypad, the entry of the code involving more than one keystroke and computer means for controlling operation of the programmable liquid dispenser and for running the programmed set of instructions after the dispenser leaves the programme mode. In another aspect, the present invention resides in a beverage dispenser network involving a plurality of programmed beverage dispensers configured for bidirectional communication with a network controller, the network controller and dispensers being programmed to enable retrieval of audit data from and sending commands to the respective dispensers, each dispenser including computer means programmed for communication with the network controller.

The term keypad as used herein should be understood to refer to any device that enables a manual input via a switch or the like and should not be limited to keyboards.

The present invention has typical application to a beverage dispenser where it may be desirable to provide a standard dispenser which, by using the teachings of the present invention, can be programmed for a variety of automatic operations or configured to a selected one of a number of possible operational modes. A typical programme mode of operation includes a teach mode where the dispenser can be placed in teach mode to programme a particular key for performance of a later function, for example, a key can be programmed by activating a teach mode where the dispenser will remember the steps taken by a user to manually pour a beverage. The procedure adopted to manually fill say, a cup, is automatically converted to programmed instructions which translate as a time sequence that can be automatically replayed when the programmed key is struck. The time sequence can involve a pour sequence involving a single continuous pour or an intermittent type pour applicable to frothy beverages. Another use for the programme mode can be termed a hardware configuration mode where say, by entry of the appropriate code, the dispenser will automatically assume certain features. For example, a certain code may automatically configure one key as a manual flow control key leaving the other keys available for teaching, another code may make all keys available for teaching. In another case, keys may automatically assume a dual function and so forth.

It will however, be clear that many useful programme options are available, the above being given as typical examples.

The network can be organised as a polled or token ring where each dispenser is a node capable of responding to requests from the controller. The type of requests can include general operational status requests or requests for data or the controller can send instructions to the nodes. Communication can be to a single node or broadcast.

The network controller can perform any required functions and can be say, a custom made controller, a personal computer or can be suitably interfaced with a personal computer, cash registers and so forth for full data analysis. Typical network controller functions can include collecting data from nodes, storing the data and/or passing the data onto a personal computer, assigning identification numbers to new nodes in the network, checking nodes for failure and so forth. Typical data that can be retrieved from the nodes can include the cumulative pour times from which total volume of beverage can be calculated, the number of operations for particular keys from which the frequency of volumes dispensed can be ascertained and with appropriate price calculations complete audit can be performed for any node. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention can be more readily understood and be put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings and wherein:- Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a typical dispenser network according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic view illustrating a typical programmable dispenser according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a functional flow chart illustrating a typical main control programme applicable to a dispenser according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a functional flow chart illustrating a typical timer interrupt programme which operates in conjunction with the main programme illustrated in Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a functional flow chart illustrating a typical serial interrupt programme which operates in conjunction with the main programme and enables communication through the network. BEST METHOD OF PERFORMING THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, there is illustrated in schematic form, a beverage dispenser network 10 involving a plurality of programmed beverage dispensers 11 configured for bidirectional communication with a network controller 12, the network controller 12 and dispensers 11 being programmed to enable retrieval of audit data from the respective dispensers, detection of faults in any one of the dispensers and for remote control of the dispenser if desired, each dispenser includes a microprocessor (see Figure 2) and is programmed for communication with the network controller (see Figure 5).

Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated a typical dispenser controller 14 and one of these controllers 14 is employed with each dispenser 11. As can be seen, the controller 14 includes a microprocessor 15 which drives output solenoids indicated generally at 16 and 17 for control of beverage flow through the dispenser. The operation of the solenoids 16 and 17 is controlled in accordance with programmed instructions stored in EEROM 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 14 is used to make each of the dispensers 11 programmable liquid dispensers having a selectable programme mode of operation so that the programmed instructions in the EEROM 18 can be altered. The dispenser includes mode selecting means, in this case configured in software (see Figure 3) which responds to operation of an input from a typical keypad shown at 19 whereby selection of a programme mode is made by entering a code via the keypad, the entry of the code involving in this case a user pressing three keys simultaneously (see item 20 at Figure 3) to initiate a teach mode or four keys simultaneously (see item 21 of Figure 3) to initiate a hardware configuration programme mode. In the present case, the hardware configuration mode is initiated by depressing the four keys simultaneously while powering up the controller 14 and it will be appreciated that under these circumstances of mode selection, it is very unlikely that the dispenser can be inadvertently placed in a programme mode. The other features illustrated in Figure 2 include a network interface at 22, a RAM at 23 into which the preprogrammed instructions 18 are temporarily routed for normal operation and the main code recognition ROM at 24. Communication to the network controller 12 is along line 25 while LED indicators 26 are employed to indicate various forms of operation. For example, whether the controller is ready for normal operation or if, for example, it is in the teach mode, the indicators may flash or otherwise indicate the status of the dispenser.

As can be seen, the keypad includes an "S" key for selecting a small size beverage to be dispensed and "M" and "L" for medium and large size drinks respectively. The "EXTRA" key can be used in conjunction with the S, M and L keys so that six different size drinks can be dispensed by simply pressing the EXTRA key in conjunction with one of the other keys. This is one particular configuration which can be adopted in the hardware configuration mode. Another configuration which can be adopted is to dispense three drink sizes only to use the EXTRA key as a manual on/off switch (this aspect will be dealt with further below).

Thus, as can be seen therefore, in relation to Figures 1 and 2 in the present case, the network is organised as a polled network but other network configurations can be used. The communication interface uses networking industry standard RS485 so that up to 99 dispensers can be connected to a common twisted pair network cable 13, with repeaters used for every 35 nodes to maintain signal levels. The communication software is configured in the illustrated embodiment to interrupt the main control programme (Figure 3) whenever a signal is present on the network having been initiated by the network controller 12 to:-

(a) send when requested to the controller from the polled dispenser, audit data comprising the number of full beverages poured in each of a plurality of beverage sizes;

(b) send when requested to the controller, the total flow time since the last audit request;

(c) send when requested to the controller, the content of any of the polled dispenser's memory registers; (d) set any of the polled dispenser's registers to specified data, which includes remote operation from cash registers;

(e) receive or send data to adjust pour times in accordance with detected pressure variations within the liquid reservoirs or liquid flow lines; or

(f) receive or send any data in order to affect an alteration of operation mode or hardware configuration.

The dispenser controller 14 operates under the control of a main programme, a simplified flow chart of which is illustrated in Figure 3 and two interrupt routines, the timer interrupt, a simplified flow chart of which is illustrated in Figure 4 and the serial interrupt, a simplified flow chart of which is illustrated in Figure 5. The timer interrupt is used to control discharge of beverage, time teach operations, sample keypad and other normal housekeeping, and the serial interrupt controls communication on the network.

As mentioned above, each dispenser is standardised and needs to be configured to the particular requirements of the user concerning the normal operation of the keys on the keypad 19. Thus, referring to Figure 3, the initial system configuration is given in the portion of the flow chart indicated generally at 27 and requires simultaneously with initial power up the four keys illustrated in Figure 2 to be depressed. If the four keys are depressed and it is initial turn on, a virgin flag is set and this enables the programme sequence to arrive at box 28 awaiting for input of an appropriate code for a valid system configuration selection. As can be seen, if a valid code is selected, it is stored in the EEROM as illustrated in Figure 2 and the indicator leds 26 flash slowly until power is shut down. The effect of power being shut down is to confirm the selected configuration. The valid codes are stored in the ROM 24 and typically configure the dispenser in the illustrated embodiment into one of the configurations discussed previously. In order to enter the teach mode, the user depresses three keys simultaneously and to leave the teach mode the same three keys are pressed simultaneously as well. Entry to the teach sequence is given at portion 29 of the flow chart of Figure 3 and as can be seen, following initiation of the teach mode by depressing three keys, it is then necessary to enter a code so that the teach sequence following can be assigned to a particular key. For example, by pressing the "S" and "M" keys simultaneously indicates to the controller 14 that the second step of a code entry sequence has been entered, and then waits for the third step of the code entry sequence, say "M" and "L" simultaneously. The codes are for comparison. If at any step, the incorrect code is entered, the process is aborted at branch box 30. Once a code is fully entered, the teach mode is set and the user can proceed to pour a drink using the selected key and the characteristic of the pouring sequence will be stored for future use whenever that key is depressed. The teaching process is given in the portion 31 of the flow chart and stores for each key a time sequence as a series of subsequences, typically as follows:- 1. A main pour time; 2. A first settling time;

3. A first top up time;

4. A second settling time; and

5. A second top up time.

Depression of three keys then exits the teach mode and by pressing the "taught" key, the programme sequence will track through the flow chart to 32, the time sequence is retrieved for execution according to the pour and settling times derived during the teach mode. All of the keys can be programmed in this way and it will again be appreciated that due to the coding sequence involved, it would be very difficult for the configuration to be altered inadvertently.

As can be seen from above, each timed sequence involves a number of subsequences and the total sequence variable is conveniently referred to in Figure 4 as "FLOCON" and each subsequence is referred to as the variable "FLOPT". Figure 4 illustrates a typical timer interrupt routine involving two timers, the first of interest being the "watch dog" timer which checks operation of microprocessor 15, see Figure 2 at item 33. The processor activity is monitored by the watch dog timer to identify any inconsistencies in operation whereby the processor is reset automatically. The timer routine interrupts the main programme at regular intervals and if a key has been depressed so that pour has been selected, a comparison through each cycle of the timer routine is made between the current value of the FLOCON variable and zero as it is decremented toward zero for the particular subsequence corresponding to the FLOPT values commencing with the main pour and working through to the final top up subsequence. Thus, FLOCON is decremented on each routing through the timer interrupt until it reaches zero and the next subsequence interval corresponding to the next FLOPT is placed in the FLOCON register and the sequence is repeated until the beverage is fully discharged, as taught. Referring now to Figure 5, there is illustrated a simplified flow chart for operation of the controller 14 initiated by the network controller 12. The programme sequence can be easily tracked through the flow chart but in general, decision box 34 enables failures in any particular dispenser to be detected and to automatically forward audit data on a previous pour, next pour basis, typically, it is only necessary to store audit data for two pours at the dispenser location and to have the main storage facility at the network controller. The decision box 35 enables data from a particular address to be retrieved, decision box 36 enables a particular block of data starting at a particular address to be retrieved while box 37 enables setting of data at a particular address to new data, this enables many variations including remote control of a dispenser to be initiated from say, a cash register or some other location.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that by employing a networking arrangement of dispensers, great flexibility of operation can be achieved and the above suggestions are merely examples of the myriad applications envisaged by the present invention. Likewise, in terms of programme configuration and teaching sequences as well as the types of programming modes which might be employed, the above two modes are suggested and it will be appreciated that many and varied modes having varying degrees of benefit fall within the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly therefore, whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention, many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A programmable liquid dispenser having a selectable programme mode of operation, the dispenser including mode selecting means comprising a keypad having a plurality of manually operable keys, a memory for storing therein programmed instructions while the dispenser is in the programme mode of operation, selection of a programme mode being made by entering in a code via the keypad, the entry of the code involving more than one keystroke and computer means for controlling operation of the programmable liquid dispenser and for running the programmed set of instructions after the dispenser leaves the programme mode.

2. A beverage dispenser network involving a plurality of programmed beverage dispensers configured for bidirectional communication with a network controller, the network controller and dispensers being programmed to enable retrieval of audit data from and sending commands to the respective dispensers, each dispenser including computer means programmed for communication with the network controller.

3. A beverage dispenser network according to claim 2 employing a programmable liquid dispenser according to claim 1.

4. The invention according to claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the programme mode of operation includes a teach mode where the dispenser can be placed in teach mode to programme a particular key for performance of a later function.

5. The invention according to claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the programme mode of operation includes a teach mode where the dispenser can be placed in teach mode to programme a particular key for performance of a later function, during the teach mode, the procedure adopted to manually fill a cup is automatically converted to programmed instructions which translate as a time sequence that can be automatically replayed when the programmed key is struck.

6. The invention according to claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the programme mode of operation includes a teach mode where the dispenser can be placed in teach mode to programme a particular key for performance of a later function, during the teach mode, the procedure adopted to manually fill a cup is automatically converted to programmed instructions which translate as a time sequence that can be automatically replayed when the programmed key is struck, the time sequence involves a pour sequence involving a single continuous pour or an intermittent type pour applicable to frothy beverages.

7. The invention according to claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the programme mode is a hardware configuration mode where, by entry of the appropriate code, the dispenser will automatically assume certain features selected from the following:-

(a) automatically configure one key as a manual flow control key leaving the other keys available for teaching;

(b) another code makes all keys available for teaching; or

(c) following input of another code, keys automatically assume a dual function.

8. A liquid dispenser according to claim 1 being a beverage dispenser in a beverage dispenser network involving a plurality of programmed beverage dispensers configured for bidirectional communication with a network controller, the network controller and dispensers being programmed to enable retrieval of audit data from and sending commands to the respective dispensers, each dispenser including computer means programmed for communication with the network controller.

9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein each dispenser is a node capable of communicating with the controller, the type of communication being selected from the following:-

(a) general operational status requests from the controller;

(b) requests from the controller for data;

(c) the controller can send instructions to the nodes; or (d) communication between the controller and the nodes can be to a single node or broadcast.

10. The invention according to claim 8 wherein the network controller performs functions selected from the following:-

(a) collecting data from nodes;

(b) storing and/or passing data onto a computer;

(c) assigning identification numbers to new nodes in the network; or

(d) checking nodes for failure.

11. The invention according to claim 8 wherein the network controller collects data from the beverage dispensers in the network, the data collected being selected from the following:-

(a) the cumulative pour times from which total volume of beverage can be calculated; or

(b) the number of operations for particular keys from which the frequency of volumes dispensed can be ascertained.

12. A beverage dispenser network according to claim 8 employing a main control programme and a communication programme which interrupts the main control programme whenever a signal is present on the network having been initiated by the network controller to carry out a selected one of the following functions:-

(c) send when requested to the controller, the content of any of the polled dispenser's memory registers;

(d) set any of the polled dispenser's registers to specified data, which includes remote operation from cash registers;

(e) receive or send data to adjust pour times in accordance with detected pressure variations within the liquid reservoirs or liquid flow lines; or (f) receive or send any data in order to affect an alteration of operation mode or hardware configuration.

13. A liquid dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the selection of a programme mode involves simultaneously entering a code via a plurality of keys.

14. A liquid dispenser according to claim 13 wherein selection of different programme modes involves simultaneously entering a code using different numbers of keys.