Distributed architecture for food and beverage dispensers
First Claim
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1. A distributed architecture for a food/beverage dispenser, comprising:
- a CPU module that monitors and/or controls operations for the food/beverage dispenser; and
a first component module coupled with the CPU module wherein the first component module monitors and/or controls a first operation of the food/beverage dispenser responsive to instructions received from the CPU module.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus wherein traditional design methodologies directed toward obtaining minimized component costs are largely set aside in favor of mass customization, reduced design and ownership costs, and shorter design cycles. The distributed architecture contemplates widespread distribution of monitoring and control functions for most device-specific hardware under the direction of a CPU module. In implementation of the distributed architecture, various component modules are placed in communication with the CPU module through at least one and preferably multiple communication busses.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. A distributed architecture for a food/beverage dispenser, comprising:
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a CPU module that monitors and/or controls operations for the food/beverage dispenser; and
a first component module coupled with the CPU module wherein the first component module monitors and/or controls a first operation of the food/beverage dispenser responsive to instructions received from the CPU module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A food/beverage dispenser, comprising:
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a housing;
a first food/beverage source;
a first bus;
a CPU module disposed in the housing, wherein the CPU module monitors and/or controls operations for the food beverage dispenser; and
a first component module disposed in the housing and coupled with the first food/product source, the first component module connected with the CPU module through the first bus, wherein, responsive to instructions received from the CPU module, the first component module regulates the distribution of food/beverage from the first food/beverage source exterior to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A distributed architecture for a food/beverage dispenser, comprising:
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a CPU module that monitors and/or controls operations for the food/beverage dispenser; and
a first component module coupled with the CPU module for controlling an operation of the food/beverage dispenser responsive to instructions received from the CPU module, wherein the first component module is enabled during initialization of the food/beverage dispenser such that the first component module responds to a component identifier signal output by the CPU module. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A method of addressing component modules of a food/beverage dispenser, comprising:
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enabling a first component module during initialization of the food/beverage dispenser;
outputting a component identifier signal from a CPU module to the first component module;
outputting a response from the first component module to the CPU module; and
assigning an address for the first component module after the CPU module receives a response to the component identifier signal from the first component module. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57)
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Specification