Beverage dispenser including an improved electronic control system

• US 6,934,602 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lancer Partnership Limited (Hoshizaki Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lancer Partnership Limited (Hoshizaki Corporation)
• Inventors: Chadwell, Thomas J., Sudolcan, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Butler, Michael E.
• Application Number:
  US10/085,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20030106904A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 700/239, 700/244, 700/241, 700/236, 222/129.1, 222/129.4, 222/640, 222/641, 621/25, 62/92, 137/3, 137/240
• US Class Current: 700/244
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00089 Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00091 Bar management means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 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

Abstract

A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.

Claims

1. A beverage dispenser, comprising:

beverage dispenser components, comprising at least;

a user interface,

a dispensing valve, and

a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve; and

an electronic control system, comprising;

a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve,

a program memory including firmware for controlling the microcontroller, and

an interface that permits external devices to input firmware that replaces existing firmware in the program memory.

2. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the interface of the electronic control system comprises an RS-232 interface.

3. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the interface of the electronic control system comprises a modem.

4. A beverage dispenser, comprising:

beverage dispenser components, comprising at least;

a user interface.

a dispensing valve, and

a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve; and

an electronic control system, comprising;

a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve,

a program memory including firmware for controlling the microcontroller, and

an interface that permits external devices to input firmware added to the program memory.

5. The beverage dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the interface of the electronic control system comprises an RS-232 interface.

6. The beverage dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the interface of the electronic control system comprises a modem.

7. A beverage dispenser, comprising:

beverage dispenser components, comprising at least;

a user interface,

a dispensing valve, and

a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve; and

an electronic control system, comprising;

a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve,

a program memory including firmware for controlling the microcontroller, and

an interface that permits external devices to input a diagnostic test routine utilized in testing the beverage dispenser in order to diagnose beverage dispenser faults.

8. The beverage dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the interface the electronic control system comprises an RS-232 interface.

9. The beverage dispenser according to clam 7, wherein the interface of the electronic control system comprises a modem.