IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0160468
(2007-01-15)
|
등록번호 |
US-8196776
(2012-06-12)
|
우선권정보 |
EP-06001478 (2006-01-24) |
국제출원번호 |
PCT/IB2007/000097
(2007-01-15)
|
§371/§102 date |
20080811
(20080811)
|
국제공개번호 |
WO2007/085925
(2007-08-02)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
4 인용 특허 :
3 |
초록
▼
An apparatus and a method for controlling a beverage dispensing machine. The apparatus performs the method and the method includes steps of monitoring, through a sensing device, the ingredient amount/level and/or the shape of the surface of the ingredient within the container, comparing the monitore
An apparatus and a method for controlling a beverage dispensing machine. The apparatus performs the method and the method includes steps of monitoring, through a sensing device, the ingredient amount/level and/or the shape of the surface of the ingredient within the container, comparing the monitored value with a reference value stored in a machine control unit, and changing one or more operative parameters of the beverage dispensing machine, when necessary on the basis of the comparison. The monitoring may include detecting a distance between the sensing device, which is positioned above the ingredient, and at least one point of an upper surface of the ingredient. The operative parameters may be operating time of the machine to draw the ingredient from the container, an amount of ingredient drawn from the container, and an operating time or condition of other machine units.
대표청구항
▼
1. A method of controlling a beverage dispensing machine provided with at least one container containing an ingredient for preparing said beverage, characterized in comprising the following steps: detecting at least a value of a level of said ingredient in said container; making a comparison of the
1. A method of controlling a beverage dispensing machine provided with at least one container containing an ingredient for preparing said beverage, characterized in comprising the following steps: detecting at least a value of a level of said ingredient in said container; making a comparison of the detected value with a reference value stored in a machine control unit; and changing one or more operative parameters of said beverage dispensing machine, when necessary, on the basis of said comparison, said step of detecting the value of said level comprises the step of detecting the distance between at least one sensing means positioned above said ingredient and at least one point of an upper surface of said ingredient. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means emits a signal passing through a surface of said container to scan the upper surface of the ingredient contained therein. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting a distance between said sensing means and at least two points of the upper surface of said ingredient to provide surface information on a surface shape of said ingredient. 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising monitoring said surface shape after more than one dispensing operation and comparing the surface information of subsequent dispensing operations to recognize formation of ingredient aggregates. 5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that said signal is ultrasonic, optic, laser, magnetic or a combination thereof. 6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said value of the level is transmitted to a remote monitoring unit. 7. A method of controlling a beverage dispensing machine provided with at least one container containing an ingredient for preparing said beverage, characterized in comprising the following steps: detecting at least a value of a level of said ingredient in said container; making a comparison of the detected value with a reference value stored in a machine control unit; and changing one or more operative parameters of said beverage dispensing machine, when necessary, on the basis of said comparison selecting said at least one or more operative is parameters from the group consisting of an operating time of the machine to draw the ingredient from the container, an amount of ingredient drawn from the container, and an operating time or condition of other machine units. 8. An apparatus for controlling a beverage dispensing machine provided with at least one container containing an ingredient for preparing said beverage, comprising means for detecting at least a value of a level of said ingredient in said container; a machine control unit having means for storing at least one reference value for said level value, means for making a comparison of the detected value with said stored reference values and means of changing one or more operative parameters of said beverage dispensing machine, when necessary, on the basis of said comparison, said means for detecting the value of said level comprises means for detecting distance between at least one sensing means positioned above said ingredient and at least one point of an upper surface of said ingredient. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said sensing means is positioned above said container and outside it said sensing means emitting a signal passing through a surface of said container to scan the upper surface of the ingredient contained therein. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said sensing means is configured and arranged to detect distance between said sensing means and at least two points of the upper surface of said ingredient and to provide information on a surface shape of said upper surface of said ingredient. 11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said sensor means emits a signal selected from ultrasonic, optic, laser, magnetic signals or a combination thereof, and in further comprising a receiver which receives the signal back from the ingredient surface for processing by a control unit. 12. The apparatus of any claim 11, wherein said sensor means and said receiver are located on a container lid. 13. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising transmission means, connected to said control unit, for providing a remote monitoring unit with the detected value. 14. A method of use of the apparatus according to claim 8, comprising controlling operation of a beverage dispensing machine with the apparatus. 15. A method of use of the apparatus according to claim 8, comprising collecting statistical information about consumption of at least one ingredient within a beverage dispensing machine from operation of the apparatus. 16. A dispenser, comprising a beverage dispensing machine configured to prepare and dispense a beverage starting from the ingredient provided within the container, the beverage dispensing machine comprising the apparatus according to claim 8. 17. An apparatus for controlling a beverage dispensing machine provided with at least one container containing an ingredient for preparing said beverage, comprising means for detecting at least a value of a level of said ingredient in said container; a machine control unit having means for storing at least one reference value for said level value, means for making a comparison of the detected value with said stored reference values and means of changing one or more operative parameters of said beverage dispensing machine, when necessary, on the basis of said comparison, said at least one or more operative is parameters being selected from the group consisting of an operating time of the machine to draw the ingredient from the container, an amount of ingredient drawn from the container, and an operating time or condition of other machine units.
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