GB2067311A - Beverage dispensing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An "in-cup" beverage dispensing machine has a central microprocessor which connects selector means (18) operable by a customer with circuitry controlling electro-mechanical components of the machine, which components include means for selectively adding a further ingredient, e.g. sugar, to a cup during operation of the machine. An input keyboard and display are provided and connected to a readable and changeable memory in the microprocessor to enable a user of the machine to influence the microprocessor to cause it to control the electro-mechanical components in different ways for each actuation of the selector means, thus enabling the range of beverages dispensed by the machine to be altered simply and quickly by the user. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Beverage dispensing machine This invention relates to a beverage dispensing machine of the "in-cup" type, that is to say of the type where at least one ingredient of each beverage is contained in each cup, the machine adding hot or cold water thereto. Such machines have a considerable advantage over "empty-cup" machines in that containers and dispensers for a large number of dry components do not have to be provided.

Attention is drawn to our co-pending applications Nos. 80.41597 and 8041598 which describe and claim different features of such a machine.

A disadvantage of such machines, however, is that they are very often only able to accommodate cups supplied by one particular manufacturer, and they cannot usually be easily modified to sell a different range of drinks once they have been set to sell one range.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an "in-cup" beverage dispensing machine which is versatile in that it can be easily changed by the user to dispense different ranges of drinks.

The present invention provides an "in-cup" beverage dispensing machine comprising: a cup store; a cup dispensing device; means for adding a further ingredient to a cup after it has left the store; means for adding liquid to the ingredient (s) in the cup; circuitry electrically controlling the aforesaid components; selector means for operation by a purchaser; and an arithmetic unit interconnecting said circuitry and said selector means and programmed to control said circuitry in accordance with actuation of the selector means, the arithmetic unit having an accessible memory comprising a plurality of addressable locations, a display means connected for displaying data stored at each of said addressable locations and input means connected to said memory to enable the data stored at each location to be altered to vary the action of said circuitry upon actuation of said selector means.

Preferably there is one memory location and one code associated with each of a range of drinks and by amending that code using the input keyboard the nature of that drink can be changed, for example to be hot or cold orto have sugar or extra sugar added. Also, one or more drinks can be removed from the list and replaced with another or others.

Advantageously there is also a memory location and code associated with each of a plurality of cup-stacks in the cup store, the code serving to inform the arithmetic unit of the contents of each stack to enable it to control the dispensing of the correct cup for a particular drink. These codes can also be changeable by the user if he changes the type of cup in any particular stack.

The additional ingredient will normally be sugar or a sugar substitute (although it could be, for example, salt if a range of soups and savoury drinks were to be dispensed). Preferably there is a memory location and coda associated with the extra ingredient supply, the code being changeable to vary the amount of extra ingredient added in each dispensing action.

Advantageously there is a group of memory locations associated with the customer's selector means and containing data setting the price of each drink. This group of memory locations is also preferably addressably via the input keyboard to enable prices to be changed easily.

Naturally, when the user changes the prices or nature of any drink he will have to alter a display associated with the selector means to inform the customer accordingly.

Preferably the arithmetic unit is a microprocessor.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is an overall view of the interior of a beverage dispensing machine of the invention; Figure2a, 2b and 2c are circuit diagrams showing the circuitry of the machine; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a keyboard and display of the machine; Figure4shows a programme record card; and Figure 5 is a programme example table.

A preferred machine 10 of the invention is shown in general layout in Figure 1. It comprises a cabinet having four doors 11 and housing a carousel-type cup store 12 supporting a plurality of cup stacks 13 and having a cup dispensing station indicated at 14. After leaving the store 12 cups travel down a chute 15 to a water adding station 16. A dispenser 17 for an extra ingredient is provided, and there is associated therewith a mechanism (not shown) for arresting a cup as it passes down chute 15. Also visible in the Figure are customer selection buttons 18 on a central stile 19 of the cabinet and a users input keyboard 20 and display 21.

Figures 2a, band c show part of the circuitry of the machine of the invention and in particular the customer's drink selector means including twelve selector buttons 18 connected to an arithmetic unit in the form of a microprocessor 22 whose output connects with various relays etc., controlling the various moving parts of the machine. These components are shown in Figures 2b and 2c.

A microprocessor control unit allows the twelve selections available to be programmed and priced individually to meet site demand. Both sugar and extra sugar selections are available. Product, selection and price changes can be made in seconds via the push button keyboard which is connected.

The carousel enables the in-cup products to be loaded easily and quickly. Programming of the microprocessor allows each product to occupy one or more columns of the cup carousel according to site demand.

A total vend counter and cash recorder counts and totalises all coins accepted by the coin mechanism thereby providing a foolproof cash control system.

The microprocessor control unit 22 controls all sequential operations of the machine including selections, vend prices, totalisation, cash counting, sugar gramme throw adjustments, water levels and sold out lights.

The unit 22 comprises: 1. A MostekZ80 microprocessor 2. A 2708 series E.P.R.O.M. (erasible programmable read only memory).

3. A P5101 L R.A.M. (random access memory).

4. Push button keyboard (20) 5. Display (21) The microprocessor 22 is an eight bit single chip central processor unit which processes information supplied by its peripheral hardware, i.e. selection pushbuttons, coin switches, cup stack switches etc., according to a series of instructions supplied by the E.P.R.O.M.

The E.P.R.O.M. follows a predetermined programme which controls the sequential operations of the machine.

The programme first checks that the power is on (right-hand door switch closed), that the left-hand door switch is closed and that the keyboard has not been selected. Providing all these conditions are satisfied the cup carousel is stepped twelve times and if any stacks are sold out the associated sold out lights are illuminated. If the power is on but the left-hand door switch is open the programme allows the cup carousel to be stepped by operation of the step stack button. If the power is on, the left-hand door switch is closed and the keyboard has been selected by the security key the programme allows the RAM to be programmed at the keyboard.

When the stack has been stepped and the sold out lights illuminated the programme checks that a selection has been made, the selection is not sold out and that enough money has been inserted. When each of these conditions are satisfied the stack is started.

The programme then checks that the stack is not jammed and that the stack can be found. If so, the money inserted is counted/descredited and the cup is dropped. If the stack is jammed the CALL OPERATOR flash light is illuminated. If the stack is not jammed but the stack cannot be found the programme checks to see if there is a duplicate stack and if so rechecks that the stack is not jammed and that the stack can be found. If the stack still cannot be found and there are no further duplicate stacks the programme illuminates the associated sold out lights.

When the cup has dropped the programme then checks whether a sugar selection has been made and if so whether the selection is a standard or extra sugar selection.

When the sugar has been added, as required, the cup is released and the programme checks whether hot or cold water is required for the selection and the water is added, so ending the vend.

The R.A.M. contains a 2 x 256 x 4-bit word which enables information such as vend prices, timing duration etc., to be stored. The R.A.M. is able, with the aid of two small nickel cadmium batteries, to retain the information to be stored for up to twelve months without the machine being connected to the mains supply.

Information is programmed into the R.A.M. by the push button keyboard, access to which is controlled by a special security key to prevent unauthorised programme changes. The large read-out display provides a visual location of the machine functions. Details of the progamming ofthe R.A.M. are provided in sections 19 to 23 - Programming.

Information such as vend prices, timing duration etc., are stored in a R.A.M. located within the M.C.U. The information is programmed into the R.A.M. By the push button keyboard 20 access to which is provided by a special security key to prevent unauthorised programme changes. A large read-out display 21 provides a visual location of the machine functions.

Each machine is provided with a programme control card which should be completed before the m.c.u. is programmed. An example of a completed card is shown in Figure 5. This completed card will be used to demonstrate how to complete a programme control card and how to programme the m.c.u. It should be noted that for the example provided the machine is a hot and cold model with "sugar selection" added to the cup from a sugar canister.

The programme control card is divided into four sections: 1) Cup product codes. This section comprises a list of in-cup products and their associated programme codes and is used as a reference when completing the selection and cup product data columns.

2) Selection. This section lists the twelve selections available at each push button together with their associated programme codes and the address at which each code is located.

3) Price. This section lists the price of each selection together with their associated programme codes and the address at which each price is located.

4) Stack cup products. This section lists the in-cup products loaded into each stack of the cup carousel together with the in-cup product programme code and the address at which each code is located.

Selections The push button selections are inserted into this column. Note these selections should correspond with those on the front of the machine, push button 1 being the uppermost button.

Selection Data The programme code corresponding each selection is listed in this column.

Examples: Selection 1 tea white sugar Referring to the cup product code section the code for tea white is 09 and for the machine to add sugar 'add 1 to code', thus the code for this selection is 10.

Please note. If extra sugar has been required 2 would have been added to the code.

Selection 11 chilled lemon Referring to the cup product code section the code for lemon is 77 and for cold water add 3 to code, thus the code for this selection is 80.

The price of each selection is listed in this column.

Example: Selection 2 tea white In the example provided the prices of tea white is 3p and so 03 is entered in the appropriate space.

Cup Product The in-cup products necessary to fulfil the requirements of the push button selections are listed in this column. One stack should be allocated to each in-cup product required, the remaining stacks being allocated to the in-cup product or products which are thought, or have proved, to be popular.

In the example provided (Figure 5) at least one stack is required for tea white, coffee black, coffee white, lemon tea, chocolate, orange and lemon. Thus five stacks are still available and since coffee white is popular for this particular site the remaining stacks have been filled with coffee white thereby giving six stacks (stacks 3-8) of coffee white in all.

Please note. The stack numbers given in this section correspond to the stack numbers on the cup carousel.

Cup Product Data The programme code corresponding to the in-cup product loaded into each stack of the cup carousel is listed in this column.

Examples: Stack 3 coffee white Referring to the cup product code section the code for coffee white is 25 and so 25 is entered into the appropriate space.

Stack 11 orange The code for orange is 73 and so 73 is entered into the appropriate space.

Once the programme control card has been completed the m.c.u. can be programmed. Access to the keyboard is gained as follows: 1. Unlock and open the upper cabinet doors.

2. Pull out the right hand door switch.

3. Insert the security key and turn clockwise.

At the m.c.u. ensure that the figure 00 00 is displayed. The first two digits of the display are the address location and the second two digits are the data loaded into that address.

Data can now be loaded into the programme.

At the m.c.u.: 1) Press push button +1 and the display will change toOl 00.

2) Press push button D (data) followed by the two push buttons corresponding to the data loaded into address 01 as recorded on the programme control card. Address 01 and the data loaded into address 01 will now be seen at the display.

3) Press push button +1 and the display will change to 0200.

4) Press push button D followed by the two push buttons corresponding to the data for address 02 as recorded on the programme control card. Address 02 and the data loaded into address 02 will now be seen at the display.

Similarly load the data into addressed 03 to 36.

When programming is completed:1) Turn the security key anti-clockwise and remove, and 2) Close and lock the upper cabinet doors.

To illustrate the programming technique the full sequence of actions required to load the completed programme control card (Figure 5) data into the programme is listed in Table 1.

Changes to Programme Changes to the programme are made as follows 1) Record the changes on the programme control card.

2) Press push button L (location) followed by the push button corresponding to the address number at which the change is to be made. The display will now show the address and data which had been previously loaded into that address.

3) Press push button D followed by the push buttons corresponding to the new data. The display will now show the address together with the new data loaded at that address.

4) Similarly carry out any further programme changes if required.

Example - It has been decided that for the example provided (Figure 5) the selection coffee black extra sugar is no longer required and that a beefy drink should be added in its place. The prices of this beefy drink is to be 5p. The programme changes are carried out as follows: At the programme control card: 1) Change selection 7 from coffee black extra sugarto beefy drink.

2) Change data for address 07 from 19 to 41.

3) Change data for address 19 from 04 to 05. It is not possible to remove the black coffee stack from the cup carousel as this is needed for selections 6 and 8, but there are six stacks of coffee white and one of these can be removed and a beefy drink stack added in its place.

4) Change stack 8 cup product from coffee white to beefy drink.

5) Change address 32 data from 25 to 41. Providing access to the keyboard has been gained the new data can be loaded into the programme as follows: At the m.c.u.

1) Press push buttons, L, 0 and 7 and the display will change to 07 19.

2) Press push buttons D, 4 and 1 and the display will change to 07 41 i.e. the data stored at address 07 is now 41 (beefy drink).

3) Press push buttons L. 1 and 9 and the display will change to 1904.

4) Press push buttons D, 0 and 5 and the display will change to 19 05 i.e. the data stored at address 19 is now 05 (5p).

5) Press push buttons L, 3 and 2 and the display will change to 3225.

6) Press push buttons D, 4 and 1 and the display will change to 3241 i.e. the data stored at address 32 is now 41 (beefy drink stack).

Programmable Delays Address locations 37-43 are used to store data relating to programmable delays: Address 37 Cup drop to start of sugar/water 1.5s Address 38 Standard sugar dispensing time 3.5s Address 39 Sugar stop to cup release 1.2s Address 40 Cup release to start of water 1.0s Address 41 Hot water dispensing time 2.5s Address 42 Cold water dispensing time 2.5s Address 43 Extra sugar dispensing time 5.0s These are normally set up in the factory, but can be changed by the user.

The data displayed at these locations are in second, and tenths of seconds, as they refer to the time that these functions operate.

Claims (10)

1. An "in-cup" beverage dispensing machine comprising: a cup store; a cup dispensing device; means for adding a further ingredient to a cup after it has left the store; means for adding liquid to the ingredient(s) in the cup; circuitry electrically controlling the aforesaid components; selector means for operation by a purchaser; and an arithmetic unit interconnecting said circuitry and said selector means and programmed to control said circuitry in accordance with actuation of the selector means, the arithmetic unit having an accessible memory comprising a plurality of addressable locations, a display means connected for displaying data stored at each of said addressable locations and input means connected to said memory to enable the data stored at each location to be altered to varythe action of said circuitry upon actuation of said selector means.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is one said memory location and one data code associated with each of a range of beverages.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein by changing the code, for a particular beverage, as stored at its memory location the machine can be caused to modify that beverage.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein there is a group of memory locations associated one with each of a plurality of stack locations in the cup store.

5. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein there is a further group of memory locations associated one with each beverage selectable by a customer and having the price of that beverage stored there as data, each price being settable and changeable by means of said input means.

6. A machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the input means is a keyboard.

7. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the display means is a visual display means.

8. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the arithmetic unit is a microprocessor.

9. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the accessible memory has a third group of addressable memory locations containing data relating other functions of the machine and alterable by means of said input.

10. An "in-cup" beverage dispensing machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.