CN114947541A

CN114947541A - Method of controlling a beverage dispensing device, computing device, medium and dispensing device

Info

Publication number: CN114947541A
Application number: CN202210330949.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 戴健; 桂亚明; 邹壮俊
Original assignee: Shanghai Tianzhuan Intelligent Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Shanghai Tianzhuan Intelligent Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-03-30
Filing date: 2022-03-30
Publication date: 2022-08-30

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method, computing device, dispensing device and medium for controlling a beverage dispensing device. The method comprises the following steps: at a computing unit of a dispensing device, obtaining recipe information of a plurality of beverages to be dispensed from a cloud server so as to update at least part of the recipe information of the plurality of beverages to be dispensed stored at the dispensing device; if the selection operation information about the target beverage is detected, determining target ingredient configuration information corresponding to the target beverage based on the formula information and the selection operation information; and generating pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient based on the target ingredient configuration information and the weight detection data from the load cell to drive the pump to pump each target ingredient from the associated ingredient container to the beverage container, respectively. The formula can be updated conveniently and flexibly, and the beverage with high consistency and close to the formula setting in quality can be automatically prepared according to the updated formula.

Description

Method of controlling a beverage dispensing device, computing device, medium and dispensing device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to data processing of beverage dispensing devices, and in particular, to methods, computing devices, computer storage media, and dispensing devices for controlling beverage dispensing devices.

Background

Conventional solutions for controlling beverage dispensing apparatuses include, for example, two types: one is to manually select and dispense ingredients that have been mixed according to a fixed recipe. The other is to manually select and discharge the ingredients in sequence according to the discharge sequence or quantity memorized by human beings, and then mix the ingredients according to the human beings memory or experience so as to prepare the beverage (such as but not limited to milk tea) with the target specification.

In the above conventional solutions for controlling beverage dispensing apparatuses, with respect to the control manner of premixing ingredients according to a fixed recipe, although consistency of taste and quality of the beverage can be ensured, there are disadvantages including: because the fixed formula selection is limited, the method is difficult to adapt to differentiated service requirements; also pre-mixed ingredients are not easy to preserve and are significantly different compared to the good mouthfeel of freshly prepared beverages. Regarding the control mode of carrying out liquid discharging operation and mixing to the batching in proper order manually, manual operation is loaded down with trivial details and efficiency is comparatively low, and the liquid yield of various batching can have great difference because of different situations such as individual operation custom (action time), the ropy degree of batching, the attribute of batching (jam, fruit juice), ambient temperature, sugar degree, consequently can make the uniformity of beverage quality difficult to guarantee to when the beverage preparation equipment updates the prescription, need a large amount of manual training costs.

In summary, the conventional solutions for controlling beverage dispensing apparatuses have the disadvantages that: the manual operation is complicated and the efficiency is low, the consistency of the taste and the quality of the beverage is difficult to ensure, and the formula is convenient and fast to update.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides a method, computing device, computer storage medium and dispensing device for controlling a beverage dispensing device, which are capable of both convenient and flexible updating of a recipe and of automatically dispensing a beverage of a quality close to the recipe setting and with a high degree of consistency for the updated recipe.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a beverage dispensing apparatus is provided. The method comprises the following steps: at a computing unit of a dispensing device, obtaining recipe information of a plurality of beverages to be dispensed from a cloud server so as to update recipe information of at least part of the beverages to be dispensed in the recipe information of the plurality of beverages to be dispensed stored at the dispensing device, the dispensing device further comprising at least: a plurality of pumps, a plurality of ingredient containers, a beverage container, and a load cell; determining whether selection operation information on the target beverage is detected, the selection operation information indicating at least category and specification information of the target beverage; and in response to determining that selection operational information is detected with respect to the target beverage, determining target ingredient configuration information corresponding to the target beverage based on the recipe information and the selection operational information, the target ingredient configuration information indicating at least a plurality of target ingredients and corresponding doses of each of the target ingredients required for configuring the target beverage; and generating pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient to drive the pump to pump each target ingredient from the associated ingredient container to the beverage container, respectively, based on the target ingredient configuration information and weight detection data from the load cell, the weight detection data of the load cell being indicative of the weight of the beverage container or the weight of the respective ingredient container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a computing device, the device comprising: at least one processing unit; at least one memory coupled to the at least one processing unit and storing instructions for execution by the at least one processing unit, the instructions when executed by the at least one processing unit, cause the computing device to perform the method of the first aspect of the disclosure.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a computer-readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a machine, performs the method of the first aspect of the disclosure.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a dispensing apparatus for providing a beverage. The preparation device comprises: a computing device as in the first aspect of the disclosure; one or more tanks for housing at least a plurality of pumps and a plurality of ingredient containers, at least one tank comprising a refrigeration unit; a plurality of pumps for respectively pumping ingredient from the plurality of ingredient containers to the beverage container, each pump of the plurality of pumps being in communication with a corresponding ingredient container of the plurality of ingredient containers via a feed tube; and a plurality of ingredient containers for respectively containing a plurality of ingredients for configuring the beverage. .

In some embodiments, generating the pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient comprises: calculating a target dosage for each target ingredient; and calculating a pumping duration associated with each target ingredient based on the target dosage for each target ingredient, the pumping speed for each target ingredient, and the weight detection data to generate a pumping instruction associated with each target ingredient.

In some embodiments, calculating the pumping duration associated with each target ingredient comprises: determining the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient based on the weight detection data; determining a first discharge threshold for a current target ingredient based on a target dose of the current target ingredient and a predetermined ratio; calculating a first discharge pumping time of a pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the pumping speed of the current target ingredient and the first discharge threshold value, so as to generate a pumping instruction for driving the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the first discharge pumping time; determining whether the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to a first discharge threshold value; in response to determining that the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to the first discharge threshold, determining whether a difference between the target dose of the current target ingredient and the actual discharge amount is greater than or equal to an error threshold; and determining that a difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to an error threshold, calculating a second discharge pumping time of the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient and the pumping speed of the current target ingredient, so as to generate a pumping instruction for driving the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the second discharge pumping time sending duration.

In some embodiments, calculating the pumping duration associated with each target ingredient further comprises: in response to determining that the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is less than the error threshold, a second discharge pumping time duration of the pump associated with the current target ingredient is calculated based on the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient, the predetermined proportion, and the pumping speed of the current target ingredient to generate a pumping instruction for driving the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the second discharge pumping time.

In some embodiments, calculating the target dose for each target ingredient comprises: acquiring cup type information, temperature information, sugar degree information, and a plurality of target ingredients required for the target beverage and corresponding doses of each target ingredient, which are indicated in the target recipe information; acquiring the pumping speed of each target ingredient based on the pumping speed of each ingredient and the target ingredient; and calculating a target dosage for each target ingredient based on the cup type information, the brix information, the plurality of target ingredients, and the corresponding dosage for each target ingredient.

In some embodiments, the pumping rate of each ingredient is determined via: acquiring initial weight detection data of a weighing sensor; for each ingredient, generating a pumping test instruction associated with each ingredient to drive a pump for pumping each ingredient from an associated ingredient container to a beverage container; calculating the variable quantity of the weight detection data of the weighing sensor; acquiring the duration of a pumping test instruction; and calculating a pumping rate for each ingredient based on the amount of change and the duration of the weight-sensing data, the pumping rate for each ingredient being indicative of the dosage of each ingredient pumped per unit time for which the pumping test command is issued.

In some embodiments, generating the pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient comprises: acquiring weight detection data from a weighing sensor; sequentially determining whether a recipe condition associated with each target ingredient is satisfied based on the weight detection data, the target dose for each target ingredient; in response to determining that the recipe condition associated with the current target ingredient is not satisfied, generating a pumping instruction for pumping the current target ingredient based on the target dose and weight detection data associated with the current target ingredient; and in response to determining that the recipe condition associated with the current target ingredient is satisfied, generating a pumping instruction for pumping the next target ingredient based on the target dose and weight detection data associated with the next target ingredient.

In some embodiments, the method for controlling a beverage dispensing apparatus further comprises: acquiring the residual ingredient dosage of each ingredient container when the last preset time interval is reached; acquiring the type and the number of the target beverage provided by the preparation equipment; calculating a current remaining ingredient dose for each ingredient container based on the type and number of portions of the target beverage, a corresponding dose of each target ingredient for each target beverage, and a remaining ingredient quantity for each ingredient container when a previous predetermined time interval has been reached; determining whether a current remaining ingredient dose of each ingredient container is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and in response to determining that the current remaining ingredient dose of any of the ingredient containers is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, generating indication information indicating under-dosing of any of the ingredient containers.

In some embodiments, the method for controlling a beverage dispensing apparatus further comprises: in response to determining that the current predetermined time interval has been reached, generating a remaining ingredient dose for each ingredient container at the time of the current predetermined time interval based on the current remaining ingredient dose for each ingredient container.

In some embodiments, the recipe information for the plurality of beverages to be dispensed stored at the dispensing device includes: system recipe information and custom recipe information, the method further comprising: in response to detecting the selecting operation action with respect to the custom mode, determining a plurality of target ingredients required for the target ingredients and a corresponding dosage of each target ingredient based on the selecting operation action with respect to the custom mode; confirming whether a confirmation instruction about the target ingredient in the custom mode is detected; and in response to a confirmation instruction detected regarding the target ingredient in the custom mode, generating custom recipe information based on the plurality of target ingredients and the corresponding dosage for each target ingredient required for the target ingredient determined in the custom mode.

In some embodiments, updating recipe information for at least a portion of a beverage to be configured of a plurality of beverage to be configured stored at a dispensing device comprises: updating system formula information stored at a preparation device based on formula information of a plurality of beverages to be prepared from a cloud server, wherein specification data at least comprises: cup type information, sugar degree information and temperature information, and various target ingredients including milk, syrup, tea soup, jam, fruit juice, water and coffee liquid.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system for a method of controlling a beverage dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart for controlling a beverage dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a pumping speed of each target ingredient according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a method of calculating the pumping rate of each ingredient according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram of a method for generating pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for generating custom recipe information in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for generating custom recipe information in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a configuration device 800 according to further embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device suitable for use to implement embodiments of the present disclosure.

Like or corresponding reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

The term "include" and variations thereof as used herein is meant to be inclusive in an open-ended manner, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "or" means "and/or". The term "based on" means "based at least in part on". The terms "one example embodiment" and "one embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "first," "second," and the like may refer to different or the same object.

As described above, the conventional solutions for controlling beverage dispensing apparatuses have disadvantages in that: the manual operation is complicated and the efficiency is low, the consistency of the taste and the quality of the beverage is difficult to ensure, and the formula is difficult to update conveniently.

To address, at least in part, one or more of the above problems, as well as other potential problems, example embodiments of the present disclosure propose a solution for controlling a beverage dispensing apparatus. In the scheme of the disclosure, by acquiring recipe information of a plurality of beverages to be configured from a cloud server to update at least part of the recipe information at a dispensing device and determining that selection operation information on a target beverage is detected at a computing unit, target ingredient configuration information indicating a plurality of target ingredients and corresponding doses is determined based on the recipe information and the selection operation information updated at least partially, the present disclosure can conveniently update a recipe of the beverage at the dispensing device and can automatically determine ingredients required for the beverage and the doses thereof according to the updated recipe. In addition, by generating pumping instructions based on the target ingredient configuration information and the weight detection data from the weighing sensor so as to respectively drive the corresponding pumps to pump each target ingredient from the corresponding ingredient container to the beverage container, the pumping instructions can be regulated and controlled according to the dosage indicated in the formula and the fed back actual ingredient liquid discharge amount for each ingredient of the target beverage, so that the actual discharge of various target ingredients of the target beverage can be as close as possible to the dosage set by the target ingredient configuration information, and the high consistency of the mouthfeel and quality of the beverage and the high matching with the set dosage of the formula can be effectively ensured even for the updated formula by the preparation equipment disclosed by the invention. Thus, the present disclosure is capable of both convenient and flexible recipe updating and automatically preparing beverages of a high consistency with quality close to the recipe setting for the updated recipe.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system 100 for implementing a method of controlling a beverage dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 1, the system 100 includes: the cloud server 160, a plurality of dispensing devices 110 (the dispensing devices 110 include, for example, a first dispensing device 110-1, a second dispensing device 110-2 through an mth dispensing device 110-M, M being a natural number), a user terminal 170, and a network 150.

With respect to cloud server 160, for example, it is used to manage a plurality of dispensing devices 110, including, for example, but not limited to, server computers, multiprocessor systems, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. . The cloud server 160 may, for example, obtain and query operational data for a plurality of dispensing devices 110, as well as publish and update recipe information for a plurality of beverages to be dispensed. Cloud server 160 may also establish an associated account for each dispensing device 110 and maintain the associated account. In addition, cloud server 160 is also used to perform maintenance on the application, such as, without limitation, publishing new versions of the application, and the like. In some embodiments, the cloud server 160 may obtain log information for a plurality of dispensing devices 110 (each log information indicating, for example, what size, quantity, and type of beverage the current dispensing device configured at what time); and then calculating the use conditions of various ingredients of various preparation equipment based on the log information and the formula information.

With respect to the dispensing device 110, it is used to dispense a target beverage in accordance with user action or order data. Taking the first compounding device 110-1 as an example, each compounding device at least includes: a computing unit 120, a plurality of pumps 138 (the pumps 138 for example comprise a first pump 138-1, a second pump 138-2 to an Nth pump 138-N), a plurality of ingredient containers 140 (the ingredient containers 140 for example comprise a first ingredient container 140-1, a second ingredient container 140-2 to an Nth ingredient container 140-N), a beverage container 142 and a load cell 144. In some embodiments, each compounding device further comprises: an input unit 112, a discharge port 132, a plurality of discharge pipes 134, and a plurality of feed pipes 146.

With respect to the plurality of ingredient containers 140, it is intended to separately contain a plurality of different ingredients for preparing the beverage. Each outlet pipe 134 communicates with a flexible delivery hose of a corresponding pump 138, as well as with an inlet pipe 146. Each feed tube 146 is inserted into each corresponding ingredient container 140.

With respect to the plurality of pumps 138 for pumping ingredients from the plurality of ingredient containers to the beverage containers, respectively, each pump of the plurality of pumps is in communication with a corresponding ingredient container of the plurality of ingredient containers via the feed tube. Pump 138 is, for example and without limitation, a peristaltic pump for pumping the ingredients. The pump 138 includes a drive, a pump head, and an elastic delivery hose, not shown. When the pump 138 drives the roller in rotation under the control of the pumping instructions 136 from the calculation unit 120, the flexible delivery hose is alternately squeezed and released in order to pump the ingredient from the associated ingredient container 140 to the beverage container 142 (e.g. the ingredient is finally pumped to the beverage container 142 via the ingredient container 140, the inlet pipe 146, the pump 138, the outlet pipe 134, the outlet port 132 in sequence).

It will be appreciated that the rate (or flow rate) at which the pump 138 pumps the ingredients is dependent on the rotational speed of the pump head, the wall thickness of the flexible delivery hose, and the viscosity of the pumped ingredients, ambient temperature, etc.

With respect to beverage container 142, it is used to contain one or more ingredients that flow out through spout 132. In some embodiments, different ingredients of different dispensing tubes 134 flow out to beverage container 142 via outlet 132 in sequence. In some embodiments, multiple ingredients of multiple different discharge tubes 134 flow out to beverage container 142 via discharge port 132 simultaneously. In some embodiments, the distance between the beverage container 142 and the spout 132 is adjustable, for example, the distance between the beverage container 142 and the spout 132 may be adjusted via adjustment of the beverage container clamp assembly.

With respect to the weighing sensor 144, it is used to detect the weight of the beverage container 142 or the weight of each ingredient container (the first ingredient container 140-1, the second ingredient container 140-2 through the Nth ingredient container 140-N) to generate weight detection data; and sending the weight detection data to the calculation unit. In some embodiments, load cells 144 are disposed below each ingredient container to determine the discharge amount of the corresponding ingredient by detecting a change in weight of each ingredient container. In other embodiments, a load cell 144 is coupled to the beverage container holding assembly for determining the amount of discharge of the corresponding ingredient by detecting the amount of change in the weight of the beverage container. As for the calculation unit 120, it may have one or more processing units including a special-purpose processing unit such as an image processing unit GPU, a field programmable gate array FPGA, and an application-specific integrated circuit ASIC, and a general-purpose processing unit such as a central processing unit CPU.

The computing unit 120 is for example configured to obtain recipe information of a plurality of beverages to be configured from the cloud server in order to update the recipe information of the beverages to be configured stored at the dispensing device; when the selection operation information about the target beverage is determined to be detected, determining target ingredient configuration information corresponding to the target beverage based on the formula information and the selection operation information; and generating pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient based on the target ingredient configuration information and the weight detection data from the load cell to drive the pump to pump each target ingredient from the associated ingredient container to the beverage container, respectively.

In some embodiments, the computing unit 120 includes, for example: a recipe information acquisition and update unit 122, a target beverage selection operation determination unit 124, a target ingredient configuration information determination unit 126, a pumping instruction generation unit 128. The recipe information obtaining and updating unit 122, the target beverage selecting operation determining unit 124, the target ingredient configuration information determining unit 126, and the pumping instruction generating unit 128 may be configured on one or more of the computing units 120.

And a recipe information obtaining and updating unit 122 for obtaining, at the computing unit of the dispensing apparatus, recipe information of the plurality of beverages to be dispensed from the cloud server so as to update recipe information of at least part of the plurality of beverages to be dispensed stored at the dispensing apparatus.

A selection operation determination unit 124 for determining whether selection operation information on the target beverage is detected, the selection operation information indicating at least a kind and specification information of the target beverage.

A target ingredient configuration information determining unit 126 for determining target ingredient configuration information corresponding to the target beverage based on the recipe information and the selection operation information if it is determined that the selection operation information on the target beverage is detected, the target ingredient configuration information indicating at least a plurality of target ingredients required for configuring the target beverage and a corresponding dose of each of the target ingredients.

With respect to the pumping instruction generation unit 128 for generating pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient for driving the pump to pump each target ingredient from the associated ingredient container to the beverage container, respectively, based on the target ingredient configuration information and the weight detection data from the load cell for indicating the weight of the beverage container or the weight of the respective ingredient container.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of a compounding device 800 according to further embodiments of the present disclosure. The dispensing apparatus 800 includes, for example, a computing device 810 (or referred to as a "computing unit," it being understood that the "computing unit" may include one or more control panels), one or more tanks, a plurality of pumps 820 (e.g., peristaltic pumps), a plurality of ingredient containers (not shown), beverage containers (not shown), load cells (not shown), an input unit 816, a dispensing bin 812 (including a discharge aperture 814 at the bottom of the dispensing bin 812), a beverage container holding assembly 830. One or more tanks are used to house at least a plurality of pumps and a plurality of ingredient containers, and at least one tank includes a refrigeration unit. For example, the dispensing apparatus 800 includes at least two tanks in communication with each other, a first tank 822 for housing at least a plurality of pumps 820 (not shown in fig. 8 are inlet and outlet pipes connected to each pump 820, the inlet pipes communicating with, for example, the ingredient containers in a second tank, and the outlet pipes communicating with, for example, the outlet 814), and a second tank 826 for housing a plurality of ingredient containers. The second tank for example comprises a refrigeration unit for maintaining the freshness of the ingredients in the ingredient containers. In some embodiments, the upper exterior surface of the second housing may serve as a console 824. Beverage container clamping assembly 830 is for clamping a beverage container (not shown) below spout 814. In some embodiments, a load cell is coupled to the beverage container holding assembly 830, for example, for detecting the weight of the beverage container.

A method 200 for controlling a beverage dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below in conjunction with fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of a method 200 for controlling a beverage dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the method 200 may be performed, for example, at the electronic device 900 depicted in fig. 9. May also be performed at the calculation unit 120 depicted in fig. 1. It should be understood that method 200 may also include additional acts not shown and/or may omit acts shown, as the scope of the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

At step 202, at a computing unit 120 of a dispensing device, recipe information of a plurality of beverages to be dispensed from a cloud server is obtained in order to update recipe information of at least part of the beverages to be dispensed among the recipe information of the plurality of beverages to be dispensed stored at the dispensing device, the dispensing device further including at least: a plurality of pumps, a plurality of ingredient containers, a beverage container, and a load cell. By adopting the above means, the latest formula can be stored in the cloud server, and the local preparation equipment is synchronized to the local preparation equipment in a networking state when the local preparation equipment is started, so that the latest state of the formula can be ensured, and a complicated and inefficient procedure that the formula needs to be updated manually one by one when the formula is updated is avoided.

With regard to the various ingredients, these include, for example: milk, syrup, tea soup, jam, fruit juice, water, and coffee liquid. In some embodiments, the recipe information for the plurality of beverages to be dispensed stored at the dispensing device includes: system recipe information and custom recipe information. The system recipe information or custom recipe information indicates at least a number of ingredients and a dosage of each ingredient required for the beverage to be prepared.

Method for updating recipe information for at least part of a beverage to be dispensed at a dispensing device, comprising for example: the stored system recipe information at the dispensing device is updated based on the recipe information for the plurality of beverages to be dispensed from the cloud server. By adopting the method, the latest state of the system formula information formula local to the preparation equipment can be ensured, and meanwhile, the independent control of the self-defined formula is kept.

At step 204, the calculation unit 120 determines whether selection operation information regarding the target beverage is detected, the selection operation information indicating at least the kind and specification information of the target beverage.

Selection operation information on the target beverage, which indicates, for example: type and specification data of the target beverage. The specification data includes information such as cup type information, temperature information, sweetness information, and cup count information.

In some embodiments, the selection operation information about the target beverage may be generated via a selection operation of the menu by the user. For example, if the user operates a menu option or an icon presented on an input unit (e.g., a touch screen) to select a kind of a target beverage and selects a specification option such as a cup type, a sugar degree, a temperature, and the like, and clicks a confirmation or preparation option, the calculation unit 120 generates selection operation information on the target beverage based on the detected user operation action. In some embodiments, the selection operation information regarding the target beverage may also be obtained from an order generated based on the selection operation of the application program at the user terminal 170.

At step 206, if the calculation unit 120 determines that selection operation information is detected with respect to the target beverage, target ingredient configuration information corresponding to the target beverage is determined based on the recipe information and the selection operation information, the target ingredient configuration information indicating at least a plurality of target ingredients and corresponding doses of each of the target ingredients required for configuring the target beverage. If the calculation unit 120 determines that the selection operation information on the target beverage is not detected, it continues at step 204 to determine whether the selection operation information on the target beverage is detected.

A method for determining target ingredient configuration information corresponding to a target beverage, for example, includes: the calculation unit 120 determines recipe information of the target beverage based on the kind of the target beverage indicated in the selection operation information and recipe information of a plurality of kinds of beverages to be dispensed stored at the dispensing apparatus; target ingredient configuration information is determined based on a plurality of target ingredients and a dosage of each target ingredient indicated in recipe information of the target beverage, and specification information (e.g., cup type information, sweetness information) of the target beverage indicated in selection operation information.

At step 208, the calculation unit 120 generates pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient to drive the pump to pump each target ingredient from the associated ingredient container to the beverage container, respectively, based on the target ingredient configuration information and the weight detection data from the load cell, which is indicative of the weight of the beverage container or the weight of the respective ingredient container.

Regarding the method of generating pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient, it includes, for example: the calculation unit 120 calculates a target dose for each target ingredient; and calculating a pumping duration associated with each target ingredient based on the target dosage for each target ingredient, the pumping speed for each target ingredient, and the weight detection data to generate a pumping instruction associated with each target ingredient.

Regarding the method of calculating the target dose of each target ingredient, it includes, for example: the calculation unit 120 acquires cup type information, temperature information, sugar degree information, and a plurality of target ingredients required for the target beverage and a corresponding dose of each target ingredient, which are indicated in the target recipe information; acquiring the pumping speed of each target ingredient based on the pumping speed of each ingredient and the target ingredient; and calculating a target dose for each target ingredient based on the cup type information, the sweetness information, the plurality of target ingredients, and the corresponding dose for each target ingredient.

Regarding the method of determining the pumping speed of each target ingredient, it includes, for example: the calculation unit 120 acquires initial weight detection data of the weighing sensor; for each ingredient, generating a pumping test instruction associated with each ingredient to drive a pump for pumping each ingredient from an associated ingredient container to a beverage container; calculating the variable quantity of the weight detection data of the weighing sensor; acquiring the duration of a pumping test instruction; and calculating a pumping rate for each ingredient based on the amount of change and the duration of the weight-sensing data, the pumping rate for each ingredient being indicative of the dosage of each ingredient pumped per unit time for which the pumping test command is issued.

Regarding the method of calculating the pumping duration associated with each target ingredient, it includes, for example: the calculating unit 120 determines the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient based on the weight detection data; determining a first discharge threshold of the current target ingredient based on the target dose of the current target ingredient and the predetermined ratio; calculating a first discharge pumping time of a pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the pumping speed of the current target ingredient and the first discharge threshold value, so as to generate a pumping instruction for driving the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the first discharge pumping time; determining whether the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to a first discharge threshold value; in response to determining that the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to the first discharge threshold, determining whether a difference between the target dose of the current target ingredient and the actual discharge amount is greater than or equal to an error threshold; and determining that a difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to an error threshold, calculating a second discharge pumping time of the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient and the pumping speed of the current target ingredient, so as to generate a pumping instruction for driving the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the second discharge pumping time. In response to determining that the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is less than the error threshold, a second discharge pumping time of the pump associated with the current target ingredient is calculated based on the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient, the predetermined proportion, and the pumping speed of the current target ingredient to generate a pumping instruction for driving the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the second discharge pumping time. A method 300 for calculating the pumping duration associated with each target ingredient will be described below in conjunction with fig. 3 and will not be described in detail herein.

In the above-described aspect, by acquiring recipe information of a plurality of beverages to be configured from the cloud server to update at least part of the recipe information at the dispensing apparatus, and determining, when selection operation information on a target beverage is detected at the computing unit, target ingredient configuration information indicating a plurality of target ingredients and corresponding doses based on the recipe information and the selection operation information updated at least in part, the present disclosure can conveniently update a recipe of a beverage at the dispensing apparatus, and can automatically determine ingredients required for the beverage and their doses according to the updated recipe. In addition, by generating pumping instructions based on the target ingredient configuration information and the weight detection data from the weighing sensor so as to respectively drive the corresponding pumps to pump each target ingredient from the corresponding ingredient container to the beverage container, the pumping instructions can be regulated and controlled according to the dosage indicated in the formula and the fed back actual ingredient liquid discharge amount for each ingredient of the target beverage, so that the actual discharge of various target ingredients of the target beverage can be as close as possible to the dosage set by the target ingredient configuration information, and the high consistency of the mouthfeel and quality of the beverage and the high matching with the set dosage of the formula can be effectively ensured even for the updated formula by the preparation equipment disclosed by the invention. Thus, the present disclosure is capable of both convenient and flexible recipe updating, and automatically formulating beverages with a high degree of consistency and quality close to the recipe settings for the updated recipe.

A method 300 for calculating a pumping duration associated with each target ingredient according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below in conjunction with fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of a method 300 for calculating a pumping duration associated with each target ingredient, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the method 300 may be performed, for example, at the electronic device 900 depicted in fig. 9. May also be executed at the calculation unit 120 depicted in fig. 1. It should be understood that method 300 may also include additional acts not shown and/or may omit acts shown, as the scope of the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, the pumping duration associated with each target ingredient includes, for example, at least two phases, a first outfeed pumping time and a second outfeed pumping time, to enable precise control of the outfeed amount of each ingredient.

At step 302, the calculation unit 120 determines the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient based on the weight detection data. For example, the calculation unit 120 obtains weight detection data before pumping the current target ingredient in order to determine an initial weight associated with the current target ingredient; obtaining current weight detection data associated with the current target ingredient if it is determined that the pump associated with the current target ingredient is driven; and determining the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient based on the difference between the current weight detection data and the initial weight. In a similar manner, the calculation unit 120 may determine the actual discharge amount of each target ingredient of the target beverage.

At step 304, the calculation unit 120 determines a first outfeed threshold for the current target ingredient based on the target dose of the current target ingredient and the predetermined ratio. The manner of determining the first discharge threshold is described below with reference to equation (1).

V ₁ (i)＝V(i)*P (1)

In the above formula (1), v (i) represents the target dosage of the i-th target ingredient. V ₁ (i) Representing the first discharge threshold of the ith ingredient. P represents a predetermined ratio. In some embodiments, P is a value in the range of 50% to 80% for each ingredient. In some embodiments, the value of P is different for different ingredients.

At step 306, the calculation unit 120 calculates a first outfeed pumping time of the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the pumping speed of the current target ingredient and the first outfeed threshold value, so as to generate a pumping instruction for driving the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the first outfeed pumping time. The calculation of the first discharge pumping time is described below in connection with equation (2).

In the above formula (2), T ₁ (i) Representing the first discharge pumping time of the corresponding pump for the ith target ingredient. S (i) represents the pumping speed of the ith target ingredient. V (i) represents the target dosage of the i-th target ingredient. P represents a predetermined ratio. n represents a constant of system operation of the compounding device.

At step 308, the calculation unit 120 determines whether the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to the first discharge threshold. For example, the calculation unit 120 determines whether the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to 70% of the target dose. If the calculation unit 120 determines that the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is less than the first discharge threshold, at step 308, it continues to determine whether the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to the first discharge threshold.

At step 310, if the calculation unit 120 determines that the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to the first discharge threshold, it is determined whether the difference between the target dose of the current target ingredient and the actual discharge amount is greater than or equal to the error threshold. For example, the target beverage is milk tea. If the calculation unit 120 determines that the actual discharge amount of the milk is greater than or equal to 70% of the target discharge amount of the milk, it is determined whether the difference between the target discharge amount of the milk and the actual discharge amount of the milk is greater than the error threshold d.

At step 312, if the calculation unit 120 determines that the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to the error threshold, based on the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient and the pumping speed of the current target ingredient, a second discharge pumping time of the pump associated with the current target ingredient is calculated so as to generate a pumping instruction for driving the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the second discharge pumping time. The manner of calculating the second discharge pumping time if the difference between the target dosage of the current target ingredient and the actual discharge amount is greater than or equal to the error threshold, i.e., V (i) -W (i) ≧ d, is described below in connection with equation (3).

In the above formula (3), T ₂ (i) Representing the second discharge pumping time of the corresponding pump of the ith target ingredient. S (i) represents the pumping speed of the ith target ingredient. W (i) represents the actual discharge amount of the ith target ingredient. n represents a constant of system operation of the compounding device. At step 314, if the calculation unit 120 determines that the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is less than the error threshold, a second discharge pumping time of the pump associated with the current target ingredient is calculated based on the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient, the predetermined proportion, and the pumping speed of the current target ingredient, so as to generate a pumping instruction for driving the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the second discharge pumping time. The following description, in conjunction with equation (4), shows that if the difference between the target amount of the current target ingredient and the actual discharge amount is less than the error threshold, V (i) -W (i)<d, calculating the pumping time of the second discharging.

In the above formula (4), T ₂ (i) Representing the second discharge pumping time of the corresponding pump of the ith target ingredient. S (i) represents the pumping speed of the ith target ingredient. W (i) represents the actual discharge amount of the ith target ingredient. P represents reservationA ratio. n represents a constant of the system operation of the compounding device.

By adopting the above means, the present disclosure enables more precise control of the actual discharged dose of each target ingredient of the target beverage.

A method 400 for calculating the pumping rate of each ingredient according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below in conjunction with fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows a flow chart of a method 400 of calculating the pumping rate of each ingredient according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that method 400 may be performed, for example, at electronic device 900 depicted in fig. 9. May also be performed at the calculation unit 120 depicted in fig. 1. It should be understood that method 400 may also include additional acts not shown and/or may omit acts shown, as the scope of the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

At step 402, the calculation unit 120 acquires initial weight detection data of the load cell. In some embodiments, the initial weight detection count indicates, for example, the weight of an empty beverage container.

At step 404, the calculation unit 120 generates, for each ingredient, a pumping test instruction associated with each ingredient for driving a pump for pumping each ingredient from the associated ingredient container to the beverage container.

At step 406, the calculation unit 120 calculates the amount of change in the weight detection data of the load cell.

At step 408, the calculation unit 120 obtains the duration of the pumping test instruction.

At step 410, the calculation unit 120 calculates a pumping rate for each ingredient based on the amount of change and the duration of the weight detection data, the pumping rate for each ingredient being indicative of the dose of each ingredient pumped per unit time for which the pumping test command is issued.

In some embodiments, the method of calculating the pumping speed of each ingredient comprises: the amount of change in the weight detection data obtained by the calculation unit 120 over a plurality of identical durations in order to calculate the average dose of each ingredient pumped per unit time for the test instruction; and using the average dosage as the pumping rate for each ingredient.

By adopting the above means, the accurate pumping speed of different ingredients can be obtained, and the control precision of the target ingredient discharge amount is improved.

A method 500 for generating pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below in conjunction with fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a method 500 for generating pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the method 500 may be performed, for example, at the electronic device 900 depicted in fig. 9. May also be performed at the calculation unit 120 depicted in fig. 1. It should be understood that method 500 may also include additional acts not shown and/or may omit acts shown, as the scope of the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

At step 502, the calculation unit 120 acquires weight detection data from the load cell.

At step 504, the calculation unit 120 determines in turn whether the formulation condition associated with each target ingredient is satisfied based on the weight detection data, the target dosage for each target ingredient. For example, if the target beverage is milk tea with strawberry ingredient. The target ingredients include, for example: strawberry jam, tea soup, and milk. The calculation unit 120 sequentially determines whether the formulation conditions associated with the strawberry jam, the tea soup, and the milk are satisfied based on the weight detection data fed back by the weighing sensors and the target doses of the strawberry jam, the tea soup, and the milk.

At step 506, if the calculation unit 120 determines that the recipe condition associated with the current target ingredient is not satisfied, a pumping instruction for pumping the current target ingredient is generated based on the target dose and weight detection data associated with the current target ingredient. For example, if the calculation unit 120 determines that the formulation conditions associated with the strawberry jam are not satisfied, the pumping instructions for pumping the strawberry jam are generated based on the target dosage associated with the strawberry jam and the difference between the actual discharged amount of the strawberry jam indicated by the weight detection data.

At step 508, the calculation unit 120 determines that the recipe condition associated with the current target ingredient is satisfied, and based on the target dose and weight detection data associated with the next target ingredient, generates a pumping instruction for pumping the next target ingredient. For example, if the calculation unit 120 determines that the formulation conditions associated with strawberry jam have been met, based on the target dose and weight detection data associated with tea soup or milk, pumping instructions for pumping tea soup or milk are generated.

By adopting the means, the actual discharge amount of each ingredient in multiple ingredients in the target beverage can be accurately controlled, so that the actual discharge amount is matched with the configuration information.

A method 600 for generating custom recipe information according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described below in conjunction with fig. 6. FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 600 for generating custom recipe information in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. It should be understood that method 600 may be performed, for example, at electronic device 900 depicted in fig. 9. May also be performed at the calculation unit 120 depicted in fig. 1. It should be understood that method 600 may also include additional acts not shown and/or may omit acts shown, as the scope of the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

At step 602, if the calculating unit 120 detects a selecting operation action regarding the custom mode, a plurality of target ingredients required for the target ingredients and a corresponding dose of each target ingredient are determined based on the selecting operation action regarding the custom mode.

As for the custom mode, it is, for example, a development mode. For example, if the computing unit 120 detects a selection action with respect to the custom mode (the action being, for example and without limitation, defining an initial recipe on the development mode interface), the computing unit 120 detects the selection action with respect to the custom mode, determines a plurality of target ingredients required for the target ingredients and corresponding dosages of each of the target ingredients, and generates corresponding pumping instructions based on the determined plurality of target ingredients and corresponding dosages of each of the target ingredients. The confirmation icon may be clicked if the operator confirms that the dispensed beverage is satisfactory, and the plurality of target ingredients and the corresponding dose of each target ingredient corresponding to the initial recipe may be adjusted if the operator confirms that the dispensed beverage is not satisfactory.

At step 604, the calculation unit 120 confirms whether a confirmation instruction regarding the target ingredient of the custom mode is detected. If the calculation unit 120 does not confirm the detection of a confirmation instruction regarding the target ingredient in the custom mode, it jumps to step 602.

At step 606, if the calculating unit 120 confirms that the confirmation instruction about the target ingredient in the custom mode is detected, the custom recipe information is generated based on the plurality of target ingredients required for the determined target ingredient in the custom mode and the corresponding dosage of each target ingredient. It should be understood that the recipe information for the plurality of beverages to be dispensed stored at the dispensing device includes: system recipe information and custom recipe information. The computing unit 120 updates the stored system recipe information at the dispensing device based on the recipe information for the plurality of beverages to be dispensed from the cloud server without updating the custom recipe.

By adopting the means, the preparation equipment can have the function of formula research and development, and meanwhile, the system formula can be conveniently updated through the cloud server.

A method 700 for indicating underdosing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below in conjunction with fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows a flow diagram of a method 700 for indicating underdosing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that method 700 may be performed, for example, at electronic device 900 depicted in fig. 9. May also be performed at the calculation unit 120 depicted in fig. 1. It should be understood that method 700 may also include additional acts not shown and/or may omit acts shown, as the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

At step 702, the calculation unit 120 obtains the remaining ingredient doses for the respective ingredient containers when the last predetermined time interval was reached.

At step 704, the computing unit 120 obtains the type and number of servings of the target beverage provided by the dispensing device.

At step 706, the calculation unit 120 calculates a current remaining ingredient dose for each ingredient container based on the type and number of portions of the target beverage, the corresponding dose of each target ingredient for each target beverage, the remaining ingredient quantity for each ingredient container when the previous predetermined time interval was reached.

At step 708, the calculation unit 120 determines whether the current remaining ingredient dose for each ingredient container is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

At step 710, if the calculation unit 120 determines that the current remaining ingredient dose of any ingredient container is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, indication information indicating insufficient ingredient for any ingredient container is generated.

By adopting the above means, the alarm can be given in time when the ingredient shortage occurs in the ingredient container, so as to remind the ingredient replenishment.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device (or computing device) 900 suitable for use to implement embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 900 may be a device for implementing the method 200 to 700 shown in fig. 2 to 7. As shown in fig. 5, device 900 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)901 that can perform various appropriate actions and processes in accordance with computer program instructions stored in a Read Only Memory (ROM)902 or loaded from a storage unit 908 into a Random Access Memory (RAM) 903. In the RAM, various programs and data required for the operation of the device 900 may also be stored. The CPU, ROM, and RAM are connected to each other via a bus 904. An input/output (I/O) interface 905 is also connected to bus 904.

A number of components in device 900 are connected to input/output (I/O)905, including: an input unit 906, an output unit 907, a storage unit 908, the central processing unit 901 performs the respective methods and processes described above, for example, performs the methods 200 to 700. For example, in some embodiments, methods 200-700 may be implemented as a computer software program stored on a machine-readable medium, such as storage unit 908. In some embodiments, part or all of the computer program may be loaded and/or installed onto device 900 via ROM and/or communications unit 909. When the computer program is loaded into RAM and executed by a CPU, one or more of the operations of methods 200-700 described above may be performed. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the CPU may be configured in any other suitable manner (e.g., by way of firmware) to perform one or more acts of methods 200-700.

It should be further appreciated that the present disclosure may be embodied as methods, apparatus, systems, and/or computer program products. The computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions embodied thereon for carrying out various aspects of the present disclosure.

The computer readable storage medium may be a tangible device that can hold and store the instructions for use by the instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic memory device, a magnetic memory device, an optical memory device, an electromagnetic memory device, a semiconductor memory device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanical coding device, such as punch cards or in-groove projection structures having instructions stored thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer-readable storage media as used herein is not to be construed as transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission medium (e.g., optical pulses through a fiber optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through electrical wires.

The computer-readable program instructions described herein may be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to a respective computing/processing device, or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, such as the internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and/or a wireless network. The network may include copper transmission cables, fiber optic transmission, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. The network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer-readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer-readable program instructions for storage in a computer-readable storage medium in the respective computing/processing device.

The computer program instructions for carrying out operations of the present disclosure may be assembler instructions, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine-related instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C + + or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the C language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the case of a remote computer, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet service provider). In some embodiments, aspects of the disclosure are implemented by personalizing an electronic circuit, such as a programmable logic circuit, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or a Programmable Logic Array (PLA), with state information of computer-readable program instructions, which can execute the computer-readable program instructions.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or step diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each step of the flowchart and/or step diagrams, and combinations of steps in the flowchart and/or step diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

These computer-readable program instructions may be provided to a processor in a voice interaction device, a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processing unit of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or step diagram block or blocks. These computer-readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer-readable medium storing the instructions comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or step diagram step or steps.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or step diagram step or steps.

The flowcharts and step diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatus, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or step diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s).

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, or improvements made to the technology in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

The above are merely alternative embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure, which may be modified and varied by those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present disclosure should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a beverage dispensing apparatus, comprising:

at a computing unit of a dispensing device, obtaining recipe information of a plurality of beverages to be dispensed from a cloud server so as to update recipe information of at least part of the beverages to be dispensed in the recipe information of the plurality of beverages to be dispensed stored at the dispensing device, the dispensing device further comprising at least: a plurality of pumps, a plurality of ingredient containers, a beverage container, and a load cell;

determining whether selection operation information on a target beverage is detected, the selection operation information indicating at least category and specification information of the target beverage; and

in response to determining that selection operation information about the target beverage is detected, determining target ingredient configuration information corresponding to the target beverage based on the recipe information and the selection operation information, the target ingredient configuration information indicating at least a plurality of target ingredients required for configuring the target beverage and a corresponding dose of each of the target ingredients; and

based on the target ingredient configuration information and weight detection data from the load cell indicating the weight of the beverage container or the respective ingredient container, pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient are generated for driving the pump to pump each target ingredient from the associated ingredient container to the beverage container, respectively.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient comprises:

calculating a target dosage for each target ingredient; and

based on the target dosage for each target ingredient, the pumping rate for each target ingredient, and the weight detection data, a pumping duration associated with each target ingredient is calculated to generate a pumping instruction associated with each target ingredient.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein calculating a pumping duration associated with each target ingredient comprises:

determining the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient based on the weight detection data;

determining a first discharge threshold for a current target ingredient based on a target dose of the current target ingredient and a predetermined ratio;

calculating a first discharge pumping time of a pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the pumping speed of the current target ingredient and the first discharge threshold value, so as to generate a pumping instruction for driving the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the first discharge pumping time;

determining whether the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to a first discharge threshold

In response to determining that the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is greater than or equal to the first discharge threshold, determining whether a difference between the target dose of the current target ingredient and the actual discharge amount is greater than or equal to an error threshold; and

determining that a difference between a target dose and an actual discharge amount of a current target ingredient is greater than or equal to an error threshold, calculating a second discharge pumping time of a pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient and a pumping speed of the current target ingredient, so as to generate a pumping instruction for driving the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the second discharge pumping time.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein calculating a pumping duration associated with each target ingredient further comprises:

in response to determining that the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient is less than the error threshold, a second discharge pumping time of the pump associated with the current target ingredient is calculated based on the difference between the target dose and the actual discharge amount of the current target ingredient, the predetermined proportion, and the pumping speed of the current target ingredient to generate pumping instructions for driving the pump associated with the current target ingredient based on the second discharge pumping time of the pump.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein calculating the target dose for each target ingredient comprises:

acquiring cup type information, temperature information, sugar degree information, and a plurality of target ingredients required for the target beverage and corresponding doses of each target ingredient, which are indicated in the target recipe information;

acquiring the pumping speed of each target ingredient based on the pumping speed of each ingredient and the target ingredient; and

based on the cup type information, the brix information, the plurality of target ingredients, and the corresponding dosage for each target ingredient, a target dosage for each target ingredient is calculated.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pumping rate of each ingredient is determined via:

acquiring initial weight detection data of a weighing sensor;

for each ingredient, generating a pumping test instruction associated with each ingredient to drive a pump for pumping each ingredient from an associated ingredient container to a beverage container;

calculating the variable quantity of the weight detection data of the weighing sensor;

acquiring the duration of a pumping test instruction; and

based on the amount of change and the duration of the weight-sensing data, the pumping rate of each ingredient is calculated, the pumping rate of each ingredient being indicative of the dose of each ingredient pumped per unit time for which the pumping test command is issued.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating pumping instructions associated with each target ingredient comprises:

acquiring weight detection data from a weighing sensor;

sequentially determining whether a recipe condition associated with each target ingredient is satisfied based on the weight detection data, the target dose for each target ingredient;

in response to determining that the recipe condition associated with the current target ingredient is not satisfied, generating a pumping instruction for pumping the current target ingredient based on the target dose and weight detection data associated with the current target ingredient; and

in response to determining that the recipe condition associated with the current target ingredient is satisfied, a pumping instruction for pumping the next target ingredient is generated based on the target dose and weight detection data associated with the next target ingredient.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

acquiring the residual ingredient dosage of each ingredient container when the last preset time interval is reached;

acquiring the type and the number of the target beverage provided by the preparation equipment;

calculating a current remaining ingredient dose for each ingredient container based on the type and number of portions of the target beverage, a corresponding dose of each target ingredient for each target beverage, and a remaining ingredient quantity for each ingredient container when a previous predetermined time interval has been reached;

determining whether a current remaining ingredient dose of each ingredient container is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and

in response to determining that a current remaining ingredient dose of any ingredient container is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, generating indication information indicating an under-dosing of the any ingredient container.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

in response to determining that the current predetermined time interval has been reached, generating a remaining ingredient dose for each ingredient container at the time of the current predetermined time interval based on the current remaining ingredient dose for each ingredient container.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the recipe information for the plurality of beverages to be dispensed stored at the dispensing device comprises: system recipe information and custom recipe information, the method further comprising:

in response to detecting the selecting operation action with respect to the custom mode, determining a plurality of target ingredients required for the target ingredients and a corresponding dosage of each target ingredient based on the selecting operation action with respect to the custom mode;

confirming whether a confirmation instruction about the target ingredient in the custom mode is detected; and

in response to a confirmation instruction to confirm detection of the target ingredient in the custom mode, custom recipe information is generated based on the plurality of target ingredients and corresponding dosages for each target ingredient required for the target ingredient determined in the custom mode.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein updating recipe information for at least a portion of the plurality of beverages to be dispensed stored at the dispensing device comprises:

updating system formula information stored at a dispensing device based on formula information of a plurality of beverages to be dispensed from a cloud server, the specification data at least including: cup type information, sugar degree information and temperature information, the various target ingredients include various of milk, syrup, tea soup, jam, fruit juice, water and coffee liquid.

12. A computing device, comprising:

at least one processing unit;

at least one memory coupled to the at least one processing unit and storing instructions for execution by the at least one processing unit, the instructions when executed by the at least one processing unit causing the computing device to perform the method of any of claims 1-11.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a machine, implements the method of any of claims 1 to 11.

14. A dispensing apparatus for providing a beverage, comprising:

the computing device of claim 12;

one or more tanks for housing at least a plurality of pumps and a plurality of ingredient containers, at least one tank comprising a refrigeration unit;

a plurality of pumps for respectively pumping ingredient from the plurality of ingredient containers to the beverage container, each pump of the plurality of pumps being in communication with a corresponding ingredient container of the plurality of ingredient containers via a feed tube; and

a plurality of ingredient containers for respectively containing a plurality of ingredients for configuring the beverage.