CA3100783A1 - Systems and apparatus for beverage dispensers with cloud-connectivity, self-cleaning and remote control and monitoring - Google Patents
Systems and apparatus for beverage dispensers with cloud-connectivity, self-cleaning and remote control and monitoring Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA3100783A1 CA3100783A1 CA3100783A CA3100783A CA3100783A1 CA 3100783 A1 CA3100783 A1 CA 3100783A1 CA 3100783 A CA3100783 A CA 3100783A CA 3100783 A CA3100783 A CA 3100783A CA 3100783 A1 CA3100783 A1 CA 3100783A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- electronic
- reader
- electro
- mechanical valve
- proximity
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0888—Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
- G06Q20/327—Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
- G07F9/001—Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
- B67D2210/00002—Purifying means
- B67D2210/00013—Sterilising means
- B67D2210/00015—UV radiation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
- H04L67/01—Protocols
- H04L67/10—Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
- H04L67/01—Protocols
- H04L67/12—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
- H04L67/01—Protocols
- H04L67/12—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
- H04L67/125—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks involving control of end-device applications over a network
Abstract
The invention describes systems and methods for providing cloud connectivity, remote-control monitoring and self-cleaning and pay-per-use functionality for any standard and off-the-shelf liquid dispensing machine such as water fountains, water coolers, beverage dispensers or coffee machines and an apparatus for cloud-connected and remotely-controlled water dispensing machine. The invented system can remotely stop or allow the dispensing of liquid from the machine through verification of data provided by the user at the point-of-dispense and can perform remote water quality monitoring and self-cleaning features.
Description
Technical Field This invention relates to remote operation and control of (manual/digital) liquid dispensing machines.
Background The current liquid dispensing machines are operated and controlled manually by the users. The status of such machines is not known without performing regular monthly or yearly service maintenance. This results in continuous degradation of the quality of the dispensed liquid over time due to the aging and wear of the equipment, filter, etc. Having existing liquid and beverage dispensing machines retrofitted such that they get connected to a cloud system provides the opportunity to have the quality of the beverage or the status of machines controlled remotely. In addition, through the proposed system, access could be given remotely to the machine via the receipt of data or payment by the user at the point of dispense.
Description of the invention Figure 1 shows transformation of a manual water dispenser to a smart water dispenser with one nozzle Figure 2 shows transformation of a manual beverage dispenser to a smart dispenser with two nozzles Figure 3 shows a smart water dispenser communicating with a mobile phone and a cloud system Figure 4 shows cloud connectivity of a smart water dispenser and a smart beverage dispenser Figure 6 shows electronic communication between different system components Figure 7 shows a dispenser with ultraviolet irradiator Figure 8 shows data communication flow diagram between the smart dispenser, mobile phone and the cloud system Detail aspects of the invention are described in this section. Figure 1 shows a standard water dispenser 1 which is operated manually by a press-button 2. The same water dispenser 1 can be transformed into a smart water dispenser 11 with cloud connectivity functionality via addition of an electro-mechanical valve 3 such as a solenoid valve or any other electronic valve or switch, which is connected electronically to an electronic board 6 including a micro-controller/processor with internet connectivity modules along with I/O
devices such as a digital touch-screen 5 and an electronic reader 4. The electro-mechanical valve 3 is hydraulically connected to the nozzle 7 of the dispenser 11 via a hose or tube 10 and can stop or allow the flow of the fluid through the dispenser 11 based on the command received from the electronic board 6. The electronic reader 4 or the Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-26 touch screen 5 receives input from the user via a finger touch or by the scan of an access card or barcode or credit card. The received data will be then sent to the cloud 15 via the electronic board 6 for verification. The feedback from the cloud 15 will be sent to the electronic board 6 and the electro-mechanical valve 3 will function accordingly. Figure 2 shows a beverage dispenser 8 with two nozzles 7 which dispenses beverage automatically with a sensor 9 upon detection of a bottle or cup underneath or close to the nozzle 7. The beverage dispenser can become a smart beverage dispenser 12 with cloud connectivity similarly with an addition of electro-mechanical valves 3, electronic board with internet connectivity 6 and I/O components 4,5. As shown in Figure 2, each nozzle is controlled by an individual electro-mechanical valve 3 which controls the beverage dispensing from each nozzle 7.
Figure 3 shows a smart water dispenser 11 receiving data from a QR barcode 14 on a mobile phone 13 via the electronic reader 4.
Figure 4 shows cloud 15 connectivity of a smart water dispenser 11 and a smart beverage dispenser 12.
Figure 5 shows the electronic communication between the system components. As shown the input data received via the electronic reader 4 will be received by the electronic board 6 and will be transferred to the cloud 15 using the wireless connectivity module.
The received data will then be verified/validated at the cloud 15 and feedback data and a command will be transferred back to the electronic board 6. The feedback data will then be analyzed by the micro-processor and out-put data will be displayed by the digital display and electro-mechanical valve to function accordingly. In addition, the user could also use a mobile app to get access to the dispenser 1 and control it accordingly.
Figure 6 shows a smart water dispenser with a digital display 5 and a credit card reader 16 which will be used to receive payment data from the user in order to gain access to the dispenser.
Figure 7 shows a smart dispenser 12 where nozzles 7 are automatically disinfected using ultraviolet germicidal irradiator 17 controlled both by the electronic board 6 and the object detection sensor 9.
Figure 8 shows a schematic of the data communication diagram between the dispenser 11, a mobile phone 13 and the cloud system 15.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-26
Background The current liquid dispensing machines are operated and controlled manually by the users. The status of such machines is not known without performing regular monthly or yearly service maintenance. This results in continuous degradation of the quality of the dispensed liquid over time due to the aging and wear of the equipment, filter, etc. Having existing liquid and beverage dispensing machines retrofitted such that they get connected to a cloud system provides the opportunity to have the quality of the beverage or the status of machines controlled remotely. In addition, through the proposed system, access could be given remotely to the machine via the receipt of data or payment by the user at the point of dispense.
Description of the invention Figure 1 shows transformation of a manual water dispenser to a smart water dispenser with one nozzle Figure 2 shows transformation of a manual beverage dispenser to a smart dispenser with two nozzles Figure 3 shows a smart water dispenser communicating with a mobile phone and a cloud system Figure 4 shows cloud connectivity of a smart water dispenser and a smart beverage dispenser Figure 6 shows electronic communication between different system components Figure 7 shows a dispenser with ultraviolet irradiator Figure 8 shows data communication flow diagram between the smart dispenser, mobile phone and the cloud system Detail aspects of the invention are described in this section. Figure 1 shows a standard water dispenser 1 which is operated manually by a press-button 2. The same water dispenser 1 can be transformed into a smart water dispenser 11 with cloud connectivity functionality via addition of an electro-mechanical valve 3 such as a solenoid valve or any other electronic valve or switch, which is connected electronically to an electronic board 6 including a micro-controller/processor with internet connectivity modules along with I/O
devices such as a digital touch-screen 5 and an electronic reader 4. The electro-mechanical valve 3 is hydraulically connected to the nozzle 7 of the dispenser 11 via a hose or tube 10 and can stop or allow the flow of the fluid through the dispenser 11 based on the command received from the electronic board 6. The electronic reader 4 or the Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-26 touch screen 5 receives input from the user via a finger touch or by the scan of an access card or barcode or credit card. The received data will be then sent to the cloud 15 via the electronic board 6 for verification. The feedback from the cloud 15 will be sent to the electronic board 6 and the electro-mechanical valve 3 will function accordingly. Figure 2 shows a beverage dispenser 8 with two nozzles 7 which dispenses beverage automatically with a sensor 9 upon detection of a bottle or cup underneath or close to the nozzle 7. The beverage dispenser can become a smart beverage dispenser 12 with cloud connectivity similarly with an addition of electro-mechanical valves 3, electronic board with internet connectivity 6 and I/O components 4,5. As shown in Figure 2, each nozzle is controlled by an individual electro-mechanical valve 3 which controls the beverage dispensing from each nozzle 7.
Figure 3 shows a smart water dispenser 11 receiving data from a QR barcode 14 on a mobile phone 13 via the electronic reader 4.
Figure 4 shows cloud 15 connectivity of a smart water dispenser 11 and a smart beverage dispenser 12.
Figure 5 shows the electronic communication between the system components. As shown the input data received via the electronic reader 4 will be received by the electronic board 6 and will be transferred to the cloud 15 using the wireless connectivity module.
The received data will then be verified/validated at the cloud 15 and feedback data and a command will be transferred back to the electronic board 6. The feedback data will then be analyzed by the micro-processor and out-put data will be displayed by the digital display and electro-mechanical valve to function accordingly. In addition, the user could also use a mobile app to get access to the dispenser 1 and control it accordingly.
Figure 6 shows a smart water dispenser with a digital display 5 and a credit card reader 16 which will be used to receive payment data from the user in order to gain access to the dispenser.
Figure 7 shows a smart dispenser 12 where nozzles 7 are automatically disinfected using ultraviolet germicidal irradiator 17 controlled both by the electronic board 6 and the object detection sensor 9.
Figure 8 shows a schematic of the data communication diagram between the dispenser 11, a mobile phone 13 and the cloud system 15.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-26
Claims (22)
1. A system comprising Electro-mechanical valve(s) which can be actuated based on an electronic signal to stop or allow the flow of fluid material;
electronic reader(s) to receive input data electronically in contact and/or at the proximity of the reader;
A digital screen to display still graphic images and/or stream videos and/or to receive input from the user via the touch of the screen;
A proximity and/or movement detection sensor for detection of the object (bottle, container);
An electronic circuit board including a microprocessor and internet wireless connectivity module which is electronically connected to the digital screen, the electro-mechanical valve(s), the electronic reader (s) and the proximity and /or movement sensor.
electronic reader(s) to receive input data electronically in contact and/or at the proximity of the reader;
A digital screen to display still graphic images and/or stream videos and/or to receive input from the user via the touch of the screen;
A proximity and/or movement detection sensor for detection of the object (bottle, container);
An electronic circuit board including a microprocessor and internet wireless connectivity module which is electronically connected to the digital screen, the electro-mechanical valve(s), the electronic reader (s) and the proximity and /or movement sensor.
2. The system of claim 1, also including an ultraviolet light source to perform germicidal disinfection which is electronically connected, controlled and powered by the electronic board.
3. The system of claims 1 or 2 wherein fluid treatment components including but not limited to filters, softeners, chillers and/or heaters, and sparkling water maker are included and are hydraulically connected to the electro-mechanical valve(s).
4. The system of claim 1-3 where the electronic valve is controlled via a mobile or web app.
5. The system of claim 1-3 wherein the electronic reader is an optical sensor including but not limited to a camera, barcode scanner, QR scanner or face recognition camera.
6. The system of claim 1-3 wherein the electronic reader is an electromagnetic reader including but not limited to a credit card reader, access card reader, key fob reader.
7. The system of claim 1-3 where in the electronic reader works based on near-field-communication such as apple-pay and/or google pay
8. The system of claim 1-7 wherein a GPS module is connected to the electronic circuit board in order to locate the system geographically on the map.
9. The system of claim 1-3 wherein the electro-mechanical valve is a solenoid valve
10. The system of claim 1-3 wherein the wireless connectivity is done through a 3G,4G,5G, LTE cellular data network or wifi internet
11. The system of claim 1-3 wherein the wireless connectivity is done through Bluetooth connection.
12. The system of claim 1-3 wherein hydraulic sensors are included to measure the fluid properties including but not limited to fluid temperature, fluid hardness or fluid turbidity.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-26
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-26
13.The system of claim 1-3 wherein flow sensors are included to measure the flow rate or the flow pressure.
14.The system of claim 1-3 wherein a solar photo-voltaic module is included to power the system in case of a power outage or remote operation
15.The system of claim 1-3 wherein the system is powered with a rechargeable battery
16.The system of claims 1-3 wherein a digital clock is included and electronically connected to the electronic board which controls the operation of the valve based on time or duration.
17.An apparatus comprising An enclosure, A water inlet, One or more water treatment components such as filters, softeners, disinfection components, electric chillers and heater, and sparkling water maker, Outlet nozzle(s) to dispense liquid, Electro-mechanical valve(s) which can be actuated based on an electronic signal to stop or allow the flow of fluid material;
electronic reader(s) to receive input data electronically in contact and/or at the proximity of the reader;
A digital screen to display still graphic images and/or stream videos and/or to receive input from the user via the touch of the screen;
A proximity and/or movement detection sensor for detection of the object (bottle, container);
An electronic circuit board including a microprocessor and internet wireless connectivity module which is electronically connected to electronic system including but not limited to the digital screen, the electro-mechanical valve(s), the electronic reader (s) and the proximity and /or movement sensor.
electronic reader(s) to receive input data electronically in contact and/or at the proximity of the reader;
A digital screen to display still graphic images and/or stream videos and/or to receive input from the user via the touch of the screen;
A proximity and/or movement detection sensor for detection of the object (bottle, container);
An electronic circuit board including a microprocessor and internet wireless connectivity module which is electronically connected to electronic system including but not limited to the digital screen, the electro-mechanical valve(s), the electronic reader (s) and the proximity and /or movement sensor.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising an ultraviolet light source to perform germicidal disinfection on the outlet nozzle.
19.The apparatus of claims 17 or 18 wherein the electro-mechanical valve(s) is controlled remotely by a mobile or web app via internet.
20.The apparatus of claims 17-19 further comprising of a GPS to locate the system geographically on the map.
21.The apparatus of claims 17-20 further comprising water quality sensors to monitor the quality of water.
22.The apparatus of claims 17-21 further comprising an electronic actuator to release compostable cup.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-26
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-26
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3100783A CA3100783A1 (en) | 2020-11-26 | 2020-11-26 | Systems and apparatus for beverage dispensers with cloud-connectivity, self-cleaning and remote control and monitoring |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3100783A CA3100783A1 (en) | 2020-11-26 | 2020-11-26 | Systems and apparatus for beverage dispensers with cloud-connectivity, self-cleaning and remote control and monitoring |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA3100783A1 true CA3100783A1 (en) | 2022-05-26 |
Family
ID=81751022
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3100783A Pending CA3100783A1 (en) | 2020-11-26 | 2020-11-26 | Systems and apparatus for beverage dispensers with cloud-connectivity, self-cleaning and remote control and monitoring |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA3100783A1 (en) |
-
2020
- 2020-11-26 CA CA3100783A patent/CA3100783A1/en active Pending
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