GB2376682A

GB2376682A - Cup identification in cup dispensing machine using fluorescent barcodes

Info

Publication number: GB2376682A
Application number: GB0114875A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Kirby
Original assignee: Paragon International Ltd
Current assignee: Paragon International Ltd
Priority date: 2001-06-19
Filing date: 2001-06-19
Publication date: 2002-12-24
Also published as: GB0114875D0

Abstract

A system for cup discrimination in a cup dispensing apparatus comprises a fluorescent marking on the cup and a source of ultraviolet light 12 to illuminate the marking. A detector 14 for detecting visible light reflected by the marking when the ultraviolet light is shone on it is also included, and the coded signal received by the detector is subjected to a correlation process in a correlator 18 to ensure that the code on the cup 10 corresponds with a predetermined code, and that only approved cups 10 are being used in the machine. Preferably the UV source is a low power solid state UV source. The fluorescent marking is preferably a barcode.

Description

DESCRIPTION CUP IDENTIFICATION IN DRINKS DISPENSING MACHINES The present invention relates to drinks dispensing machines and is concerned in particular with a system for discriminating between approved and non-approved cups to be used in the machine.

There is a requirement within the drinks dispensing industry that a drinks dispensing machine be able to discriminate between approved and non-approved cups to be used in that machine. For example, the intention may be for the machine to operate only with cups from an approved source.

In the past, one method by which this has been achieved has been simply to adjust the machine from time to time so as to accept only a new sized cup. However, this is clearly an expensive exercise and cups from non-approved sources in the new size would quickly become available.

Alternative systems have been considered using optical detection methods together with a code printed on the cup.

One method considered was a bar code printed on the cup and a conventional scanner. However, the equipment necessary to implement this technique is too large and expensive to be practicable. Also the use of the technique would be too obvious to would-be providers of non-approved cups.

Another approach tried has been to use different coloured LEDs, for example a red LED and a green LED in conjunction with coloured printing on the cup which would either reflect or absorb the appropriate section of the spectrum of incident light.

Whereas this system does work in principle, in practice it has been found to be less than ideal, firstly because the level of discrimination using coloured LEDs has been found to be very poor, as a result probably because of the highly polished finish to the cup surface which generates significant specular reflections regardless of the finish coupled with the relatively wide bandwidth of the LED light sources. Also, the use of the technique was fairly obvious to would-be providers of non-approved cups and could in any case be readily detected simply by masking the green light source.

Thus, there remains a requirement for a simple and inexpensive technique for cup discrimination.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a system for cup discrimination in a cup dispensing apparatus wherein approved cups are provided with a UV fluorescent marking and wherein the system includes a UV light source adapted to illuminate a cup under test and a visible spectrum light detector positioned for detecting visible light transmitted by the fluorescent marking on that cup in response to the UV illumination.

Thus, if the cup does have an approved fluorescent mark, this will be established by the presence of a signal at the output of the detector. On the other hand, if the cup does not have the approved fluorescent mark, this will be established by the absence of the signal output.

Preferably, the UV light source is a small, low voltage, low power solid state UV source.

In principle, the system in accordance with the invention could equally well

use an IR fluorescent ink to provide the wavelength conversion from invisible (IR/UV) light to visible light. However, IR fluorescent inks are not readily available, thus leaving UV as the only practicable option at present.

In some embodiments, the UV fluorescent marking can be provided in coded form, for example in the form of a repetitive sequence of stripes. In this case, the detector is arranged to be capable of responding to the code, such as by the use of a linear CCD or the like.

In further embodiments, the UV source is arranged to be modulated, the detector section then including an electrical signal filter or correlation process to corroborate that the coded signal received from an illuminated cup corresponds to the correct predetermined code.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Fig. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a cup discrimination system in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 shows a cup provided with a UV ink code band for use in an embodiment of the present invention.

In the simplest embodiment of the present invention (not illustrated), approved cups 10 are provided with a simple marking using a UV fluorescent ink, ie. an ink which only fluoresces in the visible region when subjected to UV incident light. The cup dispensing machine is provided with a sensor assembly comprising a solid state UV light source 12 which is positioned within the machine so as to subject to UV light that part of a cup 10 under test carrying the UV fluorescent mark,

and a visible spectrum light detector 14 which is positioned such as to detect visible light transmitted by the fluorescent marking on the cup 10 when activated hy the UV light source 12.

In a typical embodiment, when the machine is operated, a carousel (not illustrated) is rotated and places the cup 10 to be dispensed in front of the sensor assembly 12,14. With an alien, non-approved cup (i. e. one with no UV fluorescent ink) there would be no visible light generated and hence the cup would not be detected. Under this condition the machine can, for example, display a"sold out" signal and the machine would not vend the cup.

When an approved cup 10 is presented (i. e. one with the appropriate UV fluorescent ink) the visible light produced by the spectral conversion is detected by the detector 14 and the machine is arranged to vend normally. When no cup is present the system indicates a"sold out"signal as normal.

The above described simple embodiment of the system may, however, be inadequately reliable in some cases and the system may have to be made somewhat more complex to cater for the possibility that material from which alien cups are made, or inks used in printing them, may posses a natural albeit unintentional fluorescent property.

In this case, an enhanced version of the system may be used in which the UV fluorescent ink is applied in a repetitive code such as a pattern of horizontal or vertical stripes 15 around the cup as shown in Fig. 2. In this case, the detector 14 would comprise a linear CCD or similar detector array to detect the presence/absence of the code.

It is envisaged that to achieve and maintain a practical level of detection of the visible light generated by the spectral conversion from the UV source 12 in the presence of ambient light it will be necessary to modulate the UV light source 12 by a modulator 16 and use an electrical signal filter or simple correlation process 18 in the detection section. The modulator 16 and signal detection section 14,18 can be controlled by a controller 20.

To deter attempts to circumvent the system, the code sequence could from time to time be changed by upgrading the corresponding software in the detection system.

The above described system can prevent cup dispensing machines being used with non-approved cups. It also has the advantage that its use is not obvious as UV fluorescent inks can be transparent and hence readily hidden in a printed logo or pattern.

Claims

1. A system for cup discrimination in a cup dispensing apparatus wherein approved cups are provided with a UV fluorescent marking and wherein the system includes a UV light source adapted to illuminate a cup under test and a visible spectrum light detector positioned for detecting visible light transmitted by the fluorescent marking on that cup in response to the UV illumination.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UV light source is a small, low voltage, low power solid state UV source.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the UV fluorescent marking is provided in coded form.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the coded format of the UV fluorescent marking comprises a repetitive sequence of stripes.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the detector is in the form of a linear CCD or the like.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the UV source is arranged to be modulated and the detector section includes an electrical signal filter or correlation process to corroborate that the coded signal received from an illuminated cup corresponds to the correct predetermined code.

7. A system for cup discrimination in a cup dispensing apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.