Dispenser control architecture

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11084704-B2
Application number	US-201916450613-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 24, 2019
Priority date	Jan 6, 2014
Publication date	Aug 10, 2021
Grant date	Aug 10, 2021

Abstract

A control architecture for use with beverage product dispensers is provided. Instructions may be received at an interface module for performing one or more requested dispenser operations. The interface module may send the instructions to a dispense module. The dispense module may translate the instructions to predetermined commands associated with a dispenser. The one or more requested dispenser operations may then be performed based on the predetermined commands from the translated instructions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A beverage dispenser control architecture, comprising:
an interface module for receiving instructions from a user for performing one or more requested dispenser operations; and
a core dispense module including at least one adapter, wherein the core dispense module is capable of being used across a number of beverage dispenser types through the at least one adapter, wherein the at least one adapter is associated with at least one type of beverage dispenser and operable to translate the instructions into dispenser-specific control messages compatible with the at least one type of beverage dispenser for performing the one or more requested dispenser operations.

2. The beverage dispenser control architecture of claim 1 , wherein the interface module is configured to receive the instructions from a touch screen.

3. The beverage dispenser control architecture of claim 1 , wherein the interface module is configured to receive the instructions from a mobile computing device.

4. The beverage dispenser control architecture of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is configured to translate the instructions into dispenser-specific control messages for dispensing a beverage product.

5. The beverage dispenser control architecture of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is configured to translate the instructions into dispenser-specific control messages comprising one or more of:
control messages for monitoring a beverage dispenser status;
control messages for generating dispenser status messages;
control messages for retrieving a beverage product recipe based on a received beverage identification;
control messages for selecting a plurality of dispenser pumps for dispensing the requested beverage product based on ingredient ratios in the retrieved beverage product recipe;
control messages for starting one or more dispenser pumps for dispensing the beverage product;
control messages for stopping the one or more dispenser pumps for dispensing the beverage product;
control messages for initiating agitation of one or more ingredients associated with dispensing the beverage product.

6. The beverage dispenser control architecture of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is configured to translate the instructions into dispenser-specific control messages for displaying a user interface for selecting a beverage product.

7. The beverage dispenser control architecture of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is configured to translate the instructions into dispenser-specific control messages for controlling a dispenser lighting function.

8. A beverage dispenser, comprising:
an interface module for receiving instructions for performing one or more requested dispenser operations from a user; and
a core dispense module in communication with the interface module, the core dispense module including at least one adapter, wherein the core dispense module is capable of being used across a number of beverage dispenser types through the at least one adapter, wherein the at least one adapter is associated with a type of the beverage dispenser and is operable to translate the instructions into dispenser-specific control messages compatible with the type of the beverage dispenser for performing the one or more requested dispenser operations.

9. The beverage dispenser of claim 8 , wherein the interface module is configured to receive the instructions in response to a touch screen event generated by the user.

10. The beverage dispenser of claim 8 , wherein the interface module is configured to receive the instructions from a mobile computing device.

11. The beverage dispenser of claim 8 , wherein the at least one adapter is operable to translate the instructions into dispenser-specific control messages for dispensing a beverage product.

12. The beverage dispenser of claim 8 , wherein the at least one adapter is configured to translate the instructions into dispenser-specific control messages comprising one or more of:
control messages for monitoring a beverage dispenser status;
control messages for generating dispenser status messages;
control messages for retrieving a beverage product recipe based on a received beverage identification;
control messages for selecting a plurality of dispenser pumps for dispensing the requested beverage product based on ingredient ratios in the retrieved beverage product recipe;
control messages for starting one or more dispenser pumps for dispensing the beverage product;
control messages for stopping the one or more dispenser pumps for dispensing the beverage product;
control messages for initiating agitation of one or more ingredients associated with dispensing the beverage product.

13. The beverage dispenser of claim 8 , wherein the at least one adapter is operable to translate the instructions into dispenser-specific control messages for displaying a user interface for selecting a beverage product.

14. The beverage dispenser of claim 8 , wherein the at least one adapter is operable to translate the instructions into dispenser-specific control messages for controlling a dispenser lighting function.

15. The beverage dispenser of claim 8 , wherein the beverage dispenser is a large beverage dispenser for use in a large commercial or industrial setting.

16. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions which, when executed by a beverage dispenser, will cause the beverage dispenser to perform actions comprising:
accessing instructions for performing one or more requested dispenser operations at a dispense module configured for use with a plurality of beverage dispenser types;
translating the instructions to predetermined commands associated with a type of the beverage dispenser at an associated adapter in the dispense module; and
directing the beverage dispenser to perform the one or more requested dispenser operations based on the predetermined commands.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , further comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by the beverage dispenser, will cause the beverage dispenser to perform actions comprising:
receiving the instructions at an interface module.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , further comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by the beverage dispenser, will cause the beverage dispenser to perform actions comprising:
receiving the instructions at an interface module in response to a touch screen event resulting from user interaction with the beverage dispenser.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , further comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by the beverage dispenser, will cause the beverage dispenser to perform actions comprising:
receiving the instructions at an interface module from a mobile computing device.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , further comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by the beverage dispenser, will cause the beverage dispenser to perform actions comprising:
directing the beverage dispenser to perform the one or more requested dispenser operations based on the predetermined commands by generating one or more command messages for dispensing a beverage product.

Assignees

• Coca Cola Co

Inventors

• Sawhney Davinder
• Snowden Christopher Paul

Classifications

• B67D1/10

  Pump mechanism (in general F04) · CPC title

• G07F13/06

  with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof · CPC title

• G07F9/026

  for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty · CPC title

• B67D1/1284

  Ratio control · CPC title

• G07F9/02

  Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus (alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10) · CPC title