JP2019196185A - Beverage supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow an imaging part to perform imaging excellently.SOLUTION: The beverage supply device, which supplies a beverage produced in a beverage production part 11 to a container C arranged in a beverage supply part 22, comprises image information acquisition means (25 and 30) that make an imaging part 25 to image the container C and acquires image information about the container C. The imaging part 25 is arranged at a position lower than height level of an opening C1 on an upper surface of the container C. Further, preferably, the device comprises a cover mechanism 28 that covers an imaging surface 25a of the imaging part 25 in a normal state, while exposes the imaging surface 25a when the image information acquisition means acquires the image information about the container C.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage supply device, and more particularly to a beverage supply device such as a coffee machine installed in a store such as a convenience store.

  Conventionally, beverage stores such as coffee machines are installed in stores such as convenience stores. A drink supply apparatus produces | generates a drink by performing processes, such as extraction processing of coffee bean grinding and dripping, for example, and supplies a drink with respect to the cup which is a container.

  In such a beverage supply device, an imaging unit such as a camera that images the placed cup is provided, and the image information acquired by imaging with the imaging unit and the information on the container stored in the memory are used for the container. A device for determining the type has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-159941 A

  By the way, in the beverage supply apparatus proposed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the imaging unit is installed at a location above the height level of the upper surface opening of the cup disposed. Therefore, when supplying a drink with respect to a cup, there existed a possibility that the imaging of a cup by an imaging part could not be performed by the steam etc. which arise from a drink.

  An object of this invention is to provide the drink supply apparatus which can perform the imaging by an imaging part favorably in view of the said situation.

  In order to achieve the above object, a beverage supply device according to the present invention is a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage generated by a beverage generation unit to a container disposed in a beverage supply unit, and images the container. Image information acquisition means for acquiring image information of the container by capturing an image of the container, wherein the imaging unit is installed at a location lower than the height level of the upper surface opening of the container.

  In the beverage supply apparatus, the present invention covers the imaging surface of the imaging unit in a normal state, and the cover mechanism exposes the imaging surface when the image information acquisition unit acquires image information of the container. It is provided with.

  In the beverage supply apparatus, the present invention further includes container detection means for detecting that the container is disposed in the beverage supply unit, and the cover mechanism is configured such that the container detection means detects the placement of the container. Further, the imaging surface is exposed.

  Moreover, this invention is the said drink supply apparatus, It is provided with the opening-and-closing door which opens and closes the inlet_port | entrance of the said drink supply part, The door opening / closing detection part which detects opening / closing of the said entrance by the said opening / closing door, The said cover mechanism is the said door. The imaging surface is exposed on the condition that the opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance is closed.

  In the beverage supply apparatus according to the present invention, the image information acquisition unit acquires the image information of the container by imaging the container with the imaging unit through an imaging opening formed in the beverage supply unit. In addition, a ridge is provided on the upper part of the imaging opening.

  In the beverage supply apparatus according to the present invention, the image information acquisition unit acquires the image information of the container by imaging the container projected on the mirror surface with the imaging unit.

  According to the present invention, the image information acquisition means acquires the image information of the container by imaging the container with the imaging unit, and the imaging unit is installed at a position lower than the height level of the upper surface opening of the container. Therefore, there is no possibility of being affected by steam or the like generated from the beverage supplied to the container, and there is an effect that imaging by the imaging unit can be performed satisfactorily.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a beverage supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the beverage supply apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part in a state where the open / close door is closed. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing the positional relationship between the imaging unit and the container, and FIGS. 4C and 4D are FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively. It is a perspective view which shows this cover mechanism. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the imaging unit and the light source unit. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the beverage supply control process performed by the control unit shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the container type determination process in FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a main part of a modified example of the beverage supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Exemplary embodiments of a beverage supply device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 and 2 each show a beverage supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system. It is. The beverage supply apparatus illustrated here is a coffee machine installed in a store such as a convenience store, for example, and performs a coffee bean grinding and dripping extraction process, for example, and a beverage such as coffee is placed in a container C such as a cup. To supply. Such a beverage supply apparatus includes an apparatus body 1.

  The apparatus main body 1 includes a main body cabinet 10 and a front door 20. The main body cabinet 10 has a substantially rectangular shape with an open front surface. Inside the main body cabinet 10, there is provided a beverage generator 11 for generating a beverage (for example, coffee).

  The front door 20 is a door body having a size sufficient to close the opening on the front surface of the main body cabinet 10. The front door 20 is provided at the front side one side edge of the main body cabinet 10 so as to be swingable around a center axis of a shaft portion (not shown) extending along the vertical direction. It is possible to open and close the opening.

  The front door 20 has a front serving as a customer service surface, and includes a display unit 21, a beverage supply unit 22, and an opening / closing door 23. The display unit 21 includes, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel, and includes an input unit 21a that displays various types of information and can perform an input operation such as a touch operation.

  The beverage supply unit 22 is provided below the display unit 21 and includes a nozzle 22a and a stage 22b. The nozzle 22a discharges the drink produced | generated in the drink production | generation part 11 toward the downward direction. The stage 22b is provided in the lower area of the nozzle 22a. The stage 22b is for placing the container C, and is provided with an arcuate stopper 22c. The stopper 22c constitutes a predetermined information obtainable area S that can satisfactorily receive the beverage discharged from the nozzle 22a and can be read by the imaging unit 25 described later.

  The opening / closing door 23 is configured by processing a material such as resin to reduce the transmission of light, and has a size sufficient to cover the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22. Here, examples of the process for reducing the light transmission include coloring the resin or the like, or performing a texture process. Alternatively, the door 23 may be processed through a so-called magic mirror that is visible from the outside to the inside but is not reflected from the inside to the outside.

  Such an open / close door 23 is pivotally supported by the front door 20 at the left end, and can swing along the front-rear direction. In other words, the opening / closing door 23 can swing along the front-rear direction in a manner close to and away from the beverage supply unit 22, and when the door 23 swings backward in a manner close to the beverage supply unit 22, the entrance of the beverage supply unit 22. 22d can be closed, and the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22 can be opened when swinging forward in a manner of being separated from the beverage supply unit 22.

  The open / close door 23 has a guide piece 23b. The guide piece 23b is provided in such a manner that it projects along the shape of the door body 23a at the lower end of the inner surface of the door body 23a that curves in a manner that protrudes outward. That is, the tip portion of the guide piece 23b is curved. Such a guide piece 23b comes into contact with the bottom of the container C to acquire information when the door 23 swings backward (in the closing direction) with the container C placed on the stage 22b. It guides to the possible area S. Further, the guide piece 23b sandwiches the bottom portion of the container C with the stopper 22c as shown in FIG. 3 when the open / close door 23 closes the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the beverage supply device includes a container detection unit 24, an imaging unit 25, a door opening / closing detection unit 26, a door opening / closing lock mechanism 27, a cover mechanism 28, a light source unit 29, and a control unit 30.

  The container detection part 24 is comprised by an optical sensor etc., for example, and detects the presence or absence of arrangement | positioning of the container C in the drink supply part 22, ie, whether the container C was mounted in the stage 22b. The container detection unit 24 gives a detection result of the presence / absence of the container C to the control unit 30.

  The imaging unit 25 is provided in the beverage supply unit 22 and includes, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. The imaging unit 25 captures an image of the container C placed on the stage 22b through an imaging opening 22e formed in the wall of the beverage supply unit 22, and generates image information of the container C. The imaging unit 25 gives the generated image information to the control unit 30.

  The imaging opening 22e is provided below the height level of the upper surface opening C1 of the container C placed on the stage 22b as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). Therefore, the imaging unit 25 is also installed at a location lower than the height level of the upper surface opening C1 of the container C placed on the stage 22b.

  The door opening / closing detection unit 26 is provided in the vicinity of the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22, and is configured by, for example, an optical sensor. The door opening / closing detection unit 26 detects opening / closing of the entrance 22d by the opening / closing door 23, and more specifically, detects whether the entrance 22d is closed, that is, whether the opening / closing door 23 is closed. is there. The door opening / closing detection unit 26 gives a detection result to the control unit 30 as to whether or not the opening / closing door 23 is closed.

  The door opening / closing lock mechanism 27 is provided in the vicinity of the inlet 22 d of the beverage supply unit 22. The door opening / closing lock mechanism 27 maintains a state in which the opening / closing door 23 that closes the inlet 22d is closed and restricts the opening / closing door 23 from swinging forward, and the opening / closing door 23. Is selectively switchable between a release state in which it is allowed to swing forward. The switching of the door opening / closing lock mechanism 27 is performed according to a command given from the control unit 30.

  The cover mechanism 28 includes a cover main body 28a and an actuator 28b. As shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the cover main body 28 a is a box-shaped body that is U-shaped when viewed from the side, and includes an upper wall portion 281 and a lower wall portion 282. It arrange | positions so that the imaging part 25 may be inserted | pinched. The cover main body 28a is provided so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis L in FIG. Such a cover main body 28a is urged by a cover spring (not shown), and normally covers the imaging surface 25a of the imaging unit 25 as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (c). Yes. The actuator 28b is composed of, for example, a solenoid or the like, and when driven, rotates the cover main body 28a against the urging force of the cover spring to pick up an image as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4D. The imaging surface 25a of the unit 25 is exposed.

  The light source unit 29 is provided in the beverage supply unit 22 and incorporates an LED 29a that is a light source member. This light source unit 29 irradiates the inside of the beverage supply unit 22 through the light source opening 22f formed in the wall portion of the beverage supply unit 22 when the LED 29a is turned on.

  Here, the positional relationship between the light source unit 29 and the imaging unit 25 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the imaging unit 25 is disposed at a place other than the irradiation direction m of the LED 29 a constituting the light source unit 29.

  The control unit 30 is electrically connected to the beverage generation unit 11, the display unit 21, the container detection unit 24, the imaging unit 25, the door opening / closing detection unit 26, the door opening / closing lock mechanism 27, the cover mechanism 28, and the light source unit 29 described above. The operation of each of these units is comprehensively controlled according to programs and data stored in the storage unit 31 that is also electrically connected. The control unit 30 includes a container determination processing unit (container determination unit) 30a that determines the type of the container C in a container type determination process described later.

  For example, the control unit 30 may cause a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a program, that is, may be realized by software, or may be realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit). Alternatively, software and hardware may be used in combination.

  The storage unit 31 stores a correspondence table 31a that stores the relationship between the image information generated by the imaging unit 25 and the type of the container C.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the beverage supply control processing performed by the control unit 30 shown in FIG. The operation of the beverage supply device will be described while explaining the processing content of the beverage supply control process.

  In this beverage supply control process, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the container detection unit 24 has detected that the container C is in the beverage supply unit 22 (step S110). That is, the container detection unit 24 detects whether or not the container C is placed on the stage 22b. When it is detected that the container C is present (step S110, Yes), the control unit 30 determines whether the open / close door 23 is closed based on the detection result of the door open / close detection unit 26 (step S120). ). On the other hand, when it is not detected that the container C is present (step S110, No), the control unit 30 repeats the determination process of step S110.

  When the opening / closing door 23 is not closed in step S120 (step S120, No), the control unit 30 repeats the determination process in step S120. On the other hand, when the open / close door 23 is closed (step S120, Yes), the control unit 30 locks the open / close door 23 in the closed state using the door open / close lock mechanism 27 (step S150). A determination process is performed (step S140).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the container type determination process in FIG. In the container type determination process, the control unit 30 turns on the LED 29a constituting the light source unit 29 and drives the actuator 28b of the cover mechanism 28 (steps S141 and S142). Thereby, while the inside of the drink supply part 22 is irradiated to LED29a, the cover main-body part 28a rotates against the urging | biasing force of a cover spring, and the imaging surface 25a of the imaging part 25 is exposed. That is, the imaging unit 25 can perform imaging through the imaging opening 22e. The control unit 30 acquires image information read and generated through the imaging unit 25 (step S143).

  And the control part 30 reads the correspondence table 31a from the memory | storage part 31 through the container determination process part 30a (step S144), and determines the kind of container C by image information and the correspondence table 31a (step S145). More specifically, it is determined whether or not the shape of the container C in the digitized information digitized from the image information matches the digitized information in the correspondence table 31a, and the type of the matched container C is determined.

  The control unit 30 that has determined the type of the container C in this way stops driving the actuator 28b and turns off the LED 29a (step S146, step S147). Thereby, only the urging | biasing force of a cover spring acts and the cover main-body part 28a rotates and coat | covers the imaging surface 25a of the imaging part 25, and irradiation of the drink supply part 22 is complete | finished. And the control part 30 returns a procedure after that, and complete | finishes the determination process of the kind of this container.

  The control unit 30 that has performed the container type determination process in this manner displays, on the display unit 21, the beverage corresponding to the type of container C determined in step S140 described above, that is, the display of the beverage to be supplied. The guidance display for guiding the touch of the input unit 21a on which the confirmation word is displayed is performed (step S150).

  Thereafter, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the input unit 21a is touched (step S160). When the input unit 21a is not touched (No at Step S160), the control unit 30 repeats the determination process at Step S160. On the other hand, when the input unit 21a is touched (step S160, Yes), the control unit 30 causes the beverage generation unit 11 to perform the process of generating and supplying the beverage to be supplied (step S170). Thereafter, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the beverage supply by the beverage generation unit 11 is completed (step S180). If the beverage supply has not been completed (step S180, No), the control unit 30 returns to step S170 and continues the process of generating and supplying the beverage. On the other hand, when the beverage supply is completed (step S180, Yes), the control unit 30 unlocks the closed state of the open / close door 23 by the door open / close lock mechanism 27 (step S190), and then returns the procedure. Then, the current beverage supply control process is terminated.

  As described above, in the beverage supply device, the imaging unit 25 and the control unit 30 constitute information acquisition means for acquiring image information of the container C.

  According to the beverage supply device, since the imaging unit 25 is installed at a position lower than the height level of the upper surface opening C1 of the container C placed on the stage 22b, the beverage discharged from the nozzle 22a to the container C There is no risk of being affected by steam or the like that occurs, and the imaging by the imaging unit 25 can be performed satisfactorily.

  According to the beverage supply device described above, the cover mechanism 28 normally covers the imaging surface 25a of the imaging unit 25, while the imaging surface 25a is exposed when the imaging unit 25 captures an image. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image pickup unit 25 from picking up images favorably.

  According to the beverage supply apparatus, the opening / closing door 23 that opens and closes the beverage supply port inlet 22d is configured to be processed to reduce the transmission of light. Can be prevented from being affected by an external light source such as store lighting, thereby preventing an erroneous determination and improving the accuracy of determining the type of the container C.

  According to the beverage supply device, since the LED 29a is lit to irradiate the inside of the beverage supply unit 22 with the opening / closing door 23 closed and the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22 closed, the imaging unit 25 Good image information can be acquired, and it is possible to improve the accuracy of the determination of the type of the container C by preventing erroneous determination.

  According to the beverage supply apparatus, since the imaging unit 25 is disposed at a place other than the irradiation direction m of the LED 29a constituting the light source unit 29, when the container C is not formed of a transparent material, the container C While the shadow portion can be imaged, when the container C is formed of a transparent material, the shadow portion cannot be imaged by the container C. That is, it is possible to determine the type of the container C based on the presence or absence of a shadow in the imaging range, and the determination accuracy can be improved.

  According to the beverage supply apparatus, when the opening / closing door 23 swings backward, the guide piece 23b of the opening / closing door 23 contacts the bottom of the container C to guide the container C to the information acquisition area S, Further, when the opening / closing door 23 closes the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22, the bottom of the container C is sandwiched between the opening 22d and the stopper 22c and is disposed in the information acquirable area S, so that good image information can be acquired. Thus, by preventing the erroneous determination from occurring, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the determination of the type of the container C.

  According to the beverage supply device, since the opening / closing door 23 is locked while the beverage is being supplied by the beverage generation unit 11, it is possible to prevent the user from being burned.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image information of the container C is acquired and the type of the container C is determined. However, the height information, temperature information, color information, etc. of the container can be obtained through various sensors as necessary. Information may be acquired to determine the type of container.

  In the above-described embodiment, the imaging unit 25 images the container C through the imaging opening 22e. However, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. Good. According to this, when supplying a drink to the container C, it can avoid that the imaging surface 25a of the imaging part 25 gets dirty because a drink scatters. Alternatively, a member such as a wiper that periodically wipes the imaging surface 25a of the imaging unit 25 may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the container C is imaged by the imaging unit 25. However, in the present invention, image information of the container may be acquired by imaging the container projected on the mirror surface by the imaging unit. .

  In the embodiment described above, when the opening / closing door 23 closes the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22, the guide piece 23b sandwiches the bottom portion of the container C between the stopper 22c and is disposed in the information acquisition possible region S. However, in the present invention, it is not necessary for the guide piece to sandwich the stopper and the container, and when the open / close door swings in the closing direction, the guide piece comes into contact with the bottom of the container to bring the container into the information acquisition area. You can just guide.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 10 Main body cabinet 11 Beverage production | generation part 20 Front door 21 Display part 21a Input part 22 Beverage supply part 22a Nozzle 22b Stage 22c Stopper 22d Inlet 23 Opening / closing door 24 Container detection part 25 Imaging part 26 Door opening / closing detection part 27 Door opening / closing lock Mechanism 28 Cover mechanism 28a Cover body 28b Actuator 29 Light source unit 29a LED
30 Control Unit 30a Container Determination Processing Unit 31 Storage Unit 31a Corresponding Table C Container S Information Acquirable Area

Claims (6)

A beverage supply device for supplying a beverage generated by a beverage generation unit to a container disposed in a beverage supply unit,
Image information acquisition means for acquiring the image information of the container by imaging the container with an imaging unit,
The beverage supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit is installed at a position lower than a height level of the upper surface opening of the container.   2. A cover mechanism that normally covers the imaging surface of the imaging unit and exposes the imaging surface when the image information acquisition unit acquires image information of the container. The beverage supply device described in 1. A container detecting means for detecting that the container is arranged in the beverage supply unit
The beverage supply device according to claim 2, wherein the cover mechanism exposes the imaging surface when the container detection unit detects the arrangement of the container. An opening and closing door for opening and closing the entrance of the beverage supply unit;
A door opening / closing detection unit for detecting opening / closing of the entrance by the opening / closing door,
The beverage supply device according to claim 2, wherein the cover mechanism exposes the imaging surface on condition that the door opening / closing detection unit detects that the entrance is closed. The image information acquisition means acquires the image information of the container by imaging the container with the imaging unit through the imaging opening formed in the beverage supply unit,
The beverage supply device according to claim 1, wherein a basket is provided on an upper portion of the imaging opening.   The beverage supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information acquisition unit acquires the image information of the container by imaging the container projected on a mirror surface with the imaging unit.

Images