CA2205675C - Beverage dispensing system for a bar - Google Patents

Abstract

The beverage dispenser coding device is for use with a magnetically activated bottle stopper valve. The device comprises an arrangement of primary and secondary inductance coils, rectifier, serial identifier circuit, oscillator, demodulator and decoder for detecting and decoding a serial bit pattern representing an identification number. A variant of the device comprises an arrangement of Hall effect transducers, metal peg receivers, alignment mechanism and decoder for reading the transducers to determine whether a metal peg is present in the corresponding metal peg receiver and thereby to obtain a binary encoded identification number.

Description

CA 0220~i67~i l997-06-30 BEVERAGE D~ ;N~lN~ SYSTEM FOR A BAR
The present application is a division of the Canadian application No. 2,135,904 filed on June 7, 1993.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for controlling the dispensing of beverages in a bar. The invention relates further to a non-contact coding device working in a magnetic field for use with a liquor bottle stopper and electromagnetic valve system, and a system for dispensing bottles in a bar.
Background of the Invention Beverage dispenser coding devices are known in the art. US
patent 3,920,149 (Fortino et al.) describes a liquor bottle stopper and electromagnetic valve system which has three metal bands on the spout of the stopper whose presence can be detected by use of three detector coils, when the activator coil is energized. This system allows detection of up to seven different kinds of liquor.
In the prior art systems, it is difficult to efficiently detect a large number of different bottles.
Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a beverage dispenser coding device which is able to encode a large number of different unique objects which can be quickly and efficiently detected in the presence of a magnetic field. It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device at a low cost.
According to the invention, there is further provided a beverage dispenser coding device for use with a magnetically activated bottle stopper valve. The device comprises a primary inductance coil provided on an activator coil unit for use in opening the stopper valve, a secondary inductance coil provided on the stopper valve, rectifier means connected to the secondary coil for rectifying and regulating current generated in the secondary coil, serial identifier circuit means connected to the rectifier means for making a pattern of impedance changes in the secondary coil, the pattern being a serial bit pattern representing an identification number, an CA 0220~i67~i l997-06-30 oscillator connected to the primary coil, and demodulator and decoder means connected to the primary coil for detecting and decoding the pattern to obtain the identification number.
Preferably, the circuit means, the rectifier means and the 5 secondary coil are provided on a printed circuit board. The rectifier means may comprise a diode bridge and a voltage regulator .
According to the invention, there is also provided a beverage dispenser coding device for use with a magnetically 10 activated bottle stopper valve. The device comprises a plurality of Hall effect transducers provided on a base of an activator coil unit for use in opening the stopper valve, a plurality of metal peg receiving means provided on the stopper valve to be proximate the transducers when said activator coil 15 unit is placed on the stopper valve, alignment means for aligning the transducers with respect to the peg receiving means in a predetermined position, and decoder means for reading the transducers when the activator coil is energized to determine whether a metal peg is present in the corresponding 20 metal peg receiving means and thereby to obtain a binary encoded identification number.
Preferably, the transducers are Hall effect microswitches.
The alignment means may comprise a wedge shaped tongue and notch arrangement provided on the activator coil unit and the 25 stopper valve. The device may also comprise one extra Hall effect microswitch on the activator coil unit and one extra corresponding metal peg receiving means provided with an extra metal peg on the stopper valve. The extra metal peg is given a different permeability with respect to the extra Hall effect 30 microswitch such that it can be used by timing for determining a position of the extra metal peg. The transducers may be eight in number (excluding the extra one), such that the identification number is between 1 and 255.
E3rief De~cription o~ the Drawing~
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the system according to the preferred embodiment;

CA 0220~i67~i l997-06-30 Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a magnetic field detection circuit used to detect the presence of a tampering magnet, which can be used to open an electromagnetic valve bottle stopper;
Fig 3 is a perspective view of the bottle dispenser according to the preferred embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the device according to another embodiment of the invention.
Detailed De~cription of the Preferred Embodiment In the preferred embodiment, the system for controlling the dispenqing of beverages in a bar comprises a central control means (16) which cooperates with the plurality of individual manually operated beverage dispensers (14a) (14b) and (14c) for metering and dispensing a plurality of beverages upon command by a user. As dispensers (14) are used, the control means (16) are provided with information concerning how much of each beverage is dispensed . The beer and wine f low meters (14a) measure the amount of beer or wine dispensed from the various beer and wine taps of the bar system. Similarly, the soda flow meters (14b) are connected to each soda supply line for each kind of soda to measure dispensation. The hard liquor dispensers (14c) comprise hard liquor measuring means (22) and a coded bottle stopper electromagnetic valve activator coil (24) . A coded bottle stopper electromagnetic valve system and activator coil are known in the art from US patent 3,920,149. Each bottle of hard liquor is provided with a bottle stopper having therein a magnetically activated valve which is normally closed to prevent pouring of the hard liquor.
Coding means are also provided on the stopper to identify the bottle. An activator coil (24) is placed over the coded bottle stopper, and then the coil stopper and bottle are all inverted to pour the hard liquor. The measuring means (22) then cause the activator coil (24) to open the electromagnetic valve and do so for a predetermined period of time such that the predetermined quantity to be measured is poured from the bottle CA 0220~i67~i l997-06-30 of hard liquor. Measuring means (22) feed back to control means (16) how much liquor has been poured from which bottle as identified by the coded stopper~ As can be understood, the above-described system can be used to dispense beer, wine, soda and hard liquor at the bartender's command while the control means (16) can be used for measuring the quantities of beverages dispensed. The control means (16) can also be used to measure exact amounts of beer, wine and soda to be measured by adding to flow meters (14a) and (14b) solenoid valves which stop the flow of beer, wine and soda once a predetermined amount of beverage has been dispensed as measured by the f low meters .
Selecting means (10) are provided for selecting a beverage mix whose various component beverages dispensable f rom dispensers (14) are determined and measured for dispensation by control means (16) in collaboration with the dispensers (14) .
A given mixed drink may be selected by pressing one of the keys (12) on a key pad of the selecting means (10) . If the mixed beverage selected should be a wine spritzer, a preselected amount, such as 3.5 ounces, of wine and soda respectively will be dispensed from dispensers (14a) and (14b) . Selecting means (10) will inform control means (16) of the appropriate amounts to be dispensed and control means (16) will control dispensers (14a) and (14b) to carry out the appropriate dispensations.
Meanwhile, i~dicators (18a) and (18b) will indicate that a preselected amount will be di.spensed by dispensers (14a) and (14b) respectively, and that to dispense from the dispensers a different measurement would require resetting of the selecting means (10) . In the preferred embodiment, the indicators (18a) (b) and (c) comprise LED's fixed proximate the controls for each of the dispensers (14) . Thus, in the case of a wine spritzer, the white wine tap of dispensers (14a) will be set to measure 3.5 ounces before stopping. Indicator (18a) fixed proximate the white wine tap will flash to indicate tllat a preprogammed amount will be dispensed. Once the appropriate amount of wine has been dispensed into a glass, the bartender then picks up the soda gun of dispensers (14b) to which a LED

CA 0220~i67~i l997-06-30 indicator (18b) is attached. The indicator (18b) would be flashing to indicate that a predetermined measured amount will be dispensed. The bartender presses the soda water button until the flow is stopped and the glass is filled. Once the 5 predetermined amounts are dispensed from dispensers (14a) and (14b), the indicators (18a) and (18b) respectively will be reset to their normal state.
In another example, if a mixed drink such as a Harvey Wallbanger is selected using selecting means (10), the control 10 means (16) will control dispensers (14c) to measure the correct amounts of vodka and Galiano (trademark) liquor to make up the mixed beverage with a L~ ~;n;ng amount of orange juice. When the coil (24) is placed on top of the coded bottle stopper of either the Galiano or vodka bottles, the control means (16) 5 recognize that one of the bottles for making up a selected mix is ready for use, and causes indicator (18c) to flash. Once the measuring means (22) determine that the selected quantities of each hard liquor has been dispensed, the activator coils are caused to close the electromagnetic valves and stop pouring.
20 The glass containing the appropriately measured quantities of vodka and Galiano is then filled with orange juice either from a dispenser similar to dispensers (14a) and (14b) (not shown) or by pouring from an ordinary juice container. Calculating means (20) keep track of the total value of beverages dispensed 25 for accounting purposes in the bar. As can be understood, in the case that a wine spritzer is sold at the same price as a glass of wine, the two drinks containing different amounts of wine, then the calculating means (20) will rely on information provided by the selecting means (10) to adjust the value per 30 volume rates for the various beverages depending on its application .
In the preferred embodiment, there is also provided user identification means (26) and (26 ' ) which may optionally be implemented to prevent unauthorized dispensation of beverages 35 and to identify which bartender has dispensed beverages. Once the user has identified himself by means (26) and (26 ' ), control means (16) may pass this information on to calculating CA 0220~i67~i l997-06-30 means (20) in order to keep separate tabs on the total value of beverages dispensed. The means (26) and (26 ' ) may comprise a key actuated switch or a security code entry keypad. In the case of a bar in which the bartender is responsible for his or her own cash, the calculating means will indicate whether each bartender has collected an amount of cash commensurate with the value of the beverages dispensed.
In the preferred embodiment, a display (28) is also provided which can be used to display a list of beverage ingredients making up the beverage mix selected by the selecting means (10) so that the bartender knows in advance what ingredients are required. Printer (32) may be used to print up bills and to produce reports on the value of beverages dispensed determined by the calculating means. Inventory control and inventory reports may also be generated by printer (29) . A bottle dispenser (30) is also provided so that inventory and sales control for all beverages sold by the bar can be accounted for by the control means (16) and the calculat ing means ( 2 0 ) .
The calculating means also act as a cash register in combination with the selecting means (10) and the printer (29) .
All items for sale at the bar (even snacks and cigarettes) are assigned a key (12) on the means (10), and the sale is displayed on display (28). When a receipt is required, printer (29) is used ~o print up the required detailed receipt.
Referring to Fig. 2, the system can be used with a magnet detection circuit (45) which comprises a detecting coil (40), an amplifier (42) and a comparator (44) which outputs a signal when the amplified signal from the coil rises above a threshold reference voltage. Any movement of a magnet in the vicinity of coil (40) will generate a signal sufficient to cause an output from comparator (44) . The output signal is fed to the control means (16) which carries out two kinds of monitoring of the output signal of the circuit (45) . First, if the movement of a magnet is detected when the coil (24) is not activated (see Fig . 1 ), then a tamper alarm is generated . Such would be the case if a small permanent magnet were to be used to open one of CA 0220~i67~i l997-06-30 the coded bottle stopper electromagnetic valves ln order to pour a drink while bypassing the control means. Secondly, it is optionally possible to check that an output signal is indeed produced by circuit (45) each time the activator coil (2~) is 5 energized, in order to make sure that the coil (40) has not been tampered with. Advantageously, the coil (40) is mounted out of sight in close proximity to the activator coil (24) under a bar counter on which the hard liquor measuring means (22) and the activator coil (24) are mounted.
As shown in Fig. 3, rack (30) comprises a pair of rails (31) which have on the inside a blade for supporting a ring-like protrusion (33) of bottle (32). A bracket (34) is used to mount the rack (30) to an underside of a shelf of a refrigeration unit not shown. The space between rails (31) and the clearance between rails (31) and the refrigerator shelf are made adjustable by bracket (34), such that a bottle (32) of a given size and shape (determined by the brand) can be slid along the rails (31) .
Turnstile means (35) are mounted on one rail (35) as shown such that each time the bottle (32) is slid onto rails (31), the means (35) are rotated by one position. With each rotation, a cam (41) attached to the turnstile (35) moves a lever (39) of switch (37) in one direction. Each time a bottle (32) is removed from rack (30), the turnstile (35) rotates in an opposite dire~tion one position, and the cam (41) acts on lever (39) to push switch (37) in the opposite direction. As the switch (37) is activated and released each time the turnstile (3s) rotates by one position, signals are generated to indicate whether a bottle (32) has been placed on or removed from the rack (30) .
Although not shown in Fig. 3, rack (30) is to be provided with a stop at its far end to prevent removal of bottles therefrom. This stop is usually provided by the rear wall of the refrigerator unit.
3s The turnstile means (35) are shown to be mounted on one of the rails (31), however, it is possible to mount means (35) elsewhere, such as centrally between the rails (31) rotating CA 0220~i67~i l997-06-30 about a horizontal axis, so long as the means (35) are rotated as the bottle is slid onto and off the rails (31) .
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 4, a small printed circuit board is provided on a magnetically activated bottle stopper valve. The printed circuit board has a secondary coil (44) on its upper surface, and a microelectronic diode bridge and voltage regulator circuit (42 ) mounted on the underside of the board . Also mounted on the underside is an integrated 48 bit serial number identifier circuit (40) . Circuit (40) when powered will vary its impedance from 500kQ to 5kS~ in a serial transmission fashion to give out its 48 bit serial number code.
The printed circuit board can be mounted on a shoulder of a conventional magnetically activated bottle stopper valve, and thus can be ring shaped. The conventional stopper valve is described in US patent 3,920,149. A primary coil (46) is provided on a base of an activator coil unit (not shown) such that when the activator coil unit is placed on the stopper valve, the two coils (44) and (46) form a transformer unit.
A microcontroller (52) gives a signal to a high frequency oscillator (48) to generate a high frequency signal driving coil (46) . As the power received by coil (44) is rectified and regulated by means (42), the identifier circuit (40) begins changing the impedance serially and this time varying change in impedance affects the impedance of coil (44) which is detectable on coil (46) . The change of impedance of coil (44) is transmitted through coil (46) and then demodulated and decoded by circuit (50) . The resulting identification serial number is passed to microcontroller (52) which then outputs the identification number on output (54) . Output (54) can be used by a bar control system to know exactly which bottle is being used. This information is used for inventory purposes.
In the preferred embodiment, the circuit (40) is a DS2400 by Dallas.
In the other embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig.
5, the activator coil unit (60) has a coil (58) whose magnetic field serves to open the magnetic valve of the stopper (not CA 0220~i67~i l997-06-30 _g_ shown) . In the base of unit (60), nine Hall effect microswitches (68) are provided evenly spaced around its circumference. The stopper (62) is provided with metal peg receiving means (64) which are arranged on a ring like upper 5 surface of the stopper such that when unit (60) sitff on stopper (62), the microswitches (68) overlie the means (64) . Nine alignment notches (72) are provided in the base of the unit (60) and nine corresponding wedge like tabs (70) are provided on the stopper (62), such that the unit (60) will rest on the 10 stopper (62) in any one of nine given positions. The unit (60) i8 simply placed on the stopper (62) and rotated a few degrees until the notches (72) mate with the tabs (70) .
A first one of the receiving means (64) (the extra one, labelled as ' 0 ' ) is always provided with a metal peg (66), and 15 this metal peg is raised more than the other pegs (66) such that the microswitch (68) located over the 'O'peg (66) will change state first when coil (58) is energized to open the valve of the stopper (62) . The position of the ' 0 ' peg (66) being known, the position and orientation of the other eight 20 receiving means also become known. Thus the decoding means (65) quickly establish the presence or absence of pegs (66) in each of the means (64), and the i.d. code of the stopper is easily determined. The Hall effect switches (68) will remain open as the magnetic field of coil (58) is increased over a 50 ms time 25 ramp by act,ivator circuit (56) in the absence of a corresponding metal peg (66), and will close in the presence of the corresponding metal peg (66) . The eight states of the presence/absence of the metal pegs (66) provide the eight bit identifier code for the stopper (62) . The code output (54) is 30 generated by decoder (65) . The Hall effect microswitches are UGN-3140 by Sprague. The ~O~ peg (66) can be replaced by a magnet to put the corresponding switch (68) in its active state .
Of course, it is possible to provide only one notch and 35 groove arrangement such that there is only one alignment position in which the unit (60) mates with the stopper (62). In this case, the extra metal peg (66) and microswitch (68) are CA 0220~67~ 1997-06-30 not required as the positional arrangement will be inherently known .
Although the decoding can take place as coil (58) is energized to open the stopper valve, it is also possible to 5 check the code while energi~ing coil (58) so as to close the stopper valve (by reverse current), prior to allowing dispensat ion .

Claims (9)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property of privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A beverage dispenser coding device for use with a magnetically activated bottle stopper valve, the device comprising:
a primary inductance coil provided on an activator coil unit for use in opening the stopper valve;
a secondary inductance coil provided on the stopper valve;
rectifier means connected to said secondary coil for rectifying and regulating current generated in said secondary coil;
serial identifier circuit means connected to said rectifier means for making a pattern of impedance changes in said secondary coil, said pattern being a serial bit pattern representing an identification number;
an oscillator connected to said primary coil; and demodulator and decoder means connected to said primary coil for detecting and decoding said pattern to obtain the identification number.

2. Device as defined in claim 1, wherein said circuit means, said rectifier means and said secondary coil are provided on a printed circuit board.

3. Device as defined in claim 1, wherein said rectifier means comprise a diode bridge and a voltage regulator.

4. A beverage dispenser coding device for use with a magnetically activated bottle stopper valve, the device comprising:
a plurality of Hall effect transducers provided on a base of an activator coil unit for use in opening the stopper valve;
a plurality of metal peg receiving means provided on the stopper valve to be proximate said transducers when said activator coil unit is placed on the stopper valve;

alignment means for aligning said transducers with respect to said peg receiving means in a predetermined position; and decoder means for reading said transducers when the activator coil is energized to determine whether a metal peg is present in said corresponding metal peg receiving means and thereby to obtain a binary encoded identification number.

5. Device as defined in claim 4, wherein said transducers are Hall effect microswitches, the device further comprising one extra Hall effect microswitch on said activator coil unit and one extra corresponding metal peg receiving means provided with a metal peg on said stopper valve, the extra metal peg having a different permeability as seen by the extra microswitch such that the extra Hall effect microswitch will change state at a different time, whereby said decoder means can determine a position of the extra metal peg by said different time.

6. Device as defined in claim 4, wherein said alignment means comprise a wedge shaped tongue and notch arrangement provided on said activator coil unit and said stopper valve.

7. Device as defined in claim 6, wherein said transducers are Hall effect microswitches, said alignment means comprise as many wedge shaped tongue and notch arrangements as there are metal pegs, and the device further comprises one extra Hall effect microswitch on said activator coil unit and one extra corresponding metal peg receiving means provided with a metal peg on said stopper valve, the extra metal peg having a different permeability as seen by the extra microswitch such that the extra Hall effect microswitch will change state at a different time, whereby said decoder means can determine a position of the extra metal peg by said different time.

8. Device as defined in claim 7, wherein said transducers are eight in number, whereby said identification number is between 1 and 255.

9. Device as defined in claim 5 or 7, wherein said extra metal peg is raised with respect to its neighboring metal pegs, such that the extra Hall effect microswitch will change state before said neighboring metal pegs.