Autonomous food and beverage distribution machine

• US 8,509,947 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2008
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Jarisch, Christian, Tomatis, Nicola, Scorrano, Lucio
• Primary Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US12/523,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20100100241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,035 Days
• Field of Search: 221/96, 700/233, 700/239, 700/245
• US Class Current: 700/233
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/407 with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/00 Manipulators not otherwise provided for

Abstract

The invention proposes an autonomous mobile robotic device in the form of an integrated machine for producing beverages or liquid comestibles.

Claims

1. An autonomous mobile robotic device, having an active motion mechanism and comprising an integrated machine for producing beverages or liquid comestibles and having an onboard interface that allows the ordering of coffee on the robotic device using graphical presentation.

2. The device according to claim 1, comprising a controller for the production machine, the controller being connected to a wireless interface designed for receiving wirelessly transmitted signals to operate the production machine.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the onboard interface is manually operated, with the device comprising a controller for the production machine, the controller being connected to the manually operated user interface for setting operation of the production machine.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the user interface can be disconnected from the robot in order to enter parameters offboard.

5. The device according to claim 1, comprising an autonomous navigation system designed for navigating the robot based on output signals.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the output signals are obtained from visual sensors of the robot.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the production machine is self-containing.

8. The device according to claim 1, comprising an independent electrical power supply.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is a web based user interface for selecting a coffee blend, selecting a serving place, and selecting a serving time or date, using the graphical presentation.

10. An autonomous mobile robotic device, having an active motion mechanism and comprising an integrated machine for producing beverages or liquid comestibles, wherein the production machine produces the beverage or liquid comestible based on preportioned ingredients.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the device has a container for a stock of preportioned ingredients portions.

12. The device according to claim 10, further comprising an onboard interface for for allowing the ordering of a coffee directly on the robotic device, using graphical presentation.

13. An autonomous mobile robotic device, having an active motion mechanism and comprising an integrated machine for producing beverages or liquid comestibles, and an automatic cup and tray handling system.

14. The device according to claim 13, comprising a cup storage lift, a cup prehensor and a tray storage lift, able to stock several trays, whereas a cup can be transferred from the cup storage lift to the upper tray, in order to move the cup under the coffee outlet for coffee preparation.

15. An autonomous mobile robotic device having an active motion mechanism, comprising an integrated machine for producing beverages or liquid comestibles and a controller for the production machine,

wherein the controller is connected to a manually operated user interface for setting operation of the production machine;

and

wherein the user interface can be disconnected from the robotic device in order to enter parameters offboard.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the user interface allows the ordering of a beverage directly on the robotic device, using graphical presentation.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein the user interface includes a web-based user interface comprising the possibilities of selecting a coffee blend, selecting a serving place, and selecting a serving time or date, using graphical presentation, when the user interface is disconnected from the robotic device.

18. The device according to claim 15, comprising an autonomous navigation system designed for navigating the robotic device based on output signals.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the output signals are obtained from visual sensors of the robotic device.

20. The device according to claim 15, wherein the production machine is self-containing.