GR1009722B - Automated beverage stirring system with reading/recording and reproduction functions parameterized by the user - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a beverage stirring automation system having reading / recording and reproduction functions parameterizable by the user. Said automated beverage-shaking system can be connected to any shaker and similar devices following a PnP (plug and play) connection standard through a single device the function of which can be parameterized by the user; it comprises a memory unit for recording and storage and allows the reproduction of any shaking sequence in real time as well as the provision of useful information regarding the operation status of the shaking system and the different parameters of the system’s function parameters.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Beverage stirring process automation system with

read/write and playback functions enabled

user customization of operating characteristics.

The present invention refers to the process of stirring drinks and the automation of this process through a system that can be connected to any mixer and similar devices or through a single device that integrates the technology and its functional characteristics. In particular, the present invention refers to the parameterization of the operating characteristics of the system by each user and the reading/writing of the stirring sequence in real time and then its faithful reproduction at any time requested.

Beverage stirring systems have become known and in many cases necessary and particularly useful to the public for the preparation of various types of beverages both for domestic use and for commercial use. The most common beverage agitation systems currently known allow the user to manually operate the beverage agitation sequence in a variety of ways through the feed control depending on the manufacturer. The term power supply control mainly refers to the on/off of the mains voltage operating switch or, in expensive cases, the fluctuation of the stirring motor's revolutions or the regulation of its finite operating time through electronic circuits. As a result, most drinks depending on their individual ingredients do not have a common shape, texture and taste from the user-to-user stirring sequence with the common popular stirring devices. In the cases where high-cost devices are used with the possibility of adjusting the motor speed and its operating time, the user must adjust the given time, constantly the speed and stirring time depending on the stirring product and its individual components, however it remains the primary problem in creating stable and stored stirring programs for each separate and unique drink with its individual ingredients in order to successfully and accurately achieve each stirring and to always have the same product from any user. Also, in all of the aforementioned drink stirring devices, the user is exposed to high voltages as mentioned above through the power switch and in most cases with wet ends due to the nature of the profession increasing the possibility of electric shock or some other accident.

Accordingly, there is a need for an easily programmable real-time beverage stirring system based on the user's needs, with read/write and playback functions capable of recording stirring sequences that include the custom mode in which the user has selectively set/programmed the various stirring functions depending on the drink and its individual ingredients in each mixer. There is also a need for a programmable stirrer with read/write and playback functions that has a built-in memory module that allows the individual user to store and play back a stirring sequence. Additionally, there is a need for a programmable stirrer having read/write and playback functions that include program selection switches, allowing the user to select a desired stored stirring sequence. Additionally, there is a need for an easily programmable stirring system that has read/write and playback functions that allow the individual user to be part of the beverage stirring sequence feedback system so that the stirring sequences are improved. Further, there is a need for an easily programmable stirring system with read/write and playback functions that allows the user in real time to record and store complex stirring sequences involving a plurality of changes in the operation of the stirrer over a period of time. The need is also created for the utilization and improvement of the stirrers already widespread in the market, in fully automated systems with additional technical characteristics and read/write functions and reproduction of complex stirring sequences.

Additionally, there is a need for a stirring system that will communicate with external devices where data interface will be performed for various functions, such as system software update, system operation parameterization, system expansion through external devices for its operation and collection system operating data for various uses.

The present invention was designed and manufactured to automate the process of stirring drinks through a system that can be connected to any mixer and similar devices following a PnP (plug and play) connection standard or through a single device. Another object of this invention is to be able to record real-time user generated stirring sequences. Another object of this invention is to be able to play back in second time previously recorded stirring sequences. Another object of the present invention is to enable the user in real time to be able to select a specific memory location that he wishes the stirring sequence to be recorded through the program selection switches. Another object of the present invention is to enable the user to re-record new stirring sequences at any time through the program selection switches. Another object of the present invention is to enable the user through the program selection switches to select a specific memory location and play previously recorded stirring sequences on demand. Another purpose of the present invention is to inform the user through indicative and audible alerts that provide useful information about the operating status of the stirring system and various parameters of its operating characteristics. Another purpose of the present invention is to interface system data with external devices for updating system software, configuring system operation, expanding system capabilities through external devices for its operation, and collecting system operation data for various uses. Another purpose of the present invention due to the frequent use of the shakers by different users is to give them the possibility to be able to produce the same result regardless of experience and know-how of the specific drink. Also another purpose of the present invention is to handle it with low voltage to avoid direct and frequent contact of the user with the mains voltage in the middle of the power switch, preventing any work or domestic accidents that could occur, endangering the life and the physical integrity of the user due to the way of handling the blender with liquid ends for the production of one or more drinks. Also, due to the automation of the process, it is possible to release the user for the time when the specific production process of the specific drink is scheduled and his occupation with another object in the area, with the result of saving time and money.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In figures 1 and 2 below, the numbers refer to the individual components of the system as described below. The figures, the arrangement of the elements and the numbers do not correspond in any case to the reality and the implementation of the system. A beverage stirring process automation system capable of reading/writing and reproducing complex stirring sequences is generally referred to in (Figure 1/300). The beverage stirring sequence consists of the way in which the adjustment of the shaft revolutions (Figure 2/122) is made over time by the user and other operating parameters through the handling and control system (Figure 1/301). The beverage stirring system (Figure 1/300) provides different functional features that can be invoked at any time by the user of the stirring system (Figure 1/300) through the control and handling system (Figure 1/301) that communicates either by wire or wirelessly through wireless network technologies such as: WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, IR or Mobile Network with the beverage stirring system (Figure 1/300) and includes a power switch (Figure 1/302) to activate/deactivate the system operation. In addition, it includes program selection switches

(Figure 1/306) which have a plurality of positions corresponding to specific memory positions and have the possibility of selecting a specific memory position for reading/writing or reproducing each memory position. It also includes a memory position selection switch (Figure 1/303) that allows the switching of the memory positions of the program selection switches (Figure 1/306) thus providing the possibility for each of the program selection switches (Figure 1/306) to read/write or play new stirring sequences. It also includes a speed adjustment switch (Figure 1/305) of the agitator that allows the motor speed to be increased or decreased. It additionally includes a mode selection switch (Figure 1/304) of the stirrer for manual operation or for automated operation with the ability to read/write and reproduce complex stirring sequences. In addition, it includes indicative notifications (Figure 1/307) through indicator lights and LCD or LED technology screens and audible notifications (Figure 1/308) through a buzzer or speaker that provide useful information to the user about the operating status of the stirring system (Figure 1/300 ) and various parameters of its operation characteristics. It additionally includes a power control switch (Figure 1/309) for manual operation or for automated operation to control the power of the mixer. In addition, it includes a communication channel (Figure 1/310) for communication either wired via cable or wirelessly via wireless network technologies such as: WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, IR or Mobile Network with external devices for updating the system software, configuring its operation system, to collect system operating data, or to manipulate the system and extend system capabilities through compatible external devices.

The execution of the functions of the stirring system (Figure 1/300) is generally referred to (Figure 2/100). The execution of the functions of the stirring system (Figure 2/100) includes a power input (Figure 2/120) of alternating current AC to power the control system (Figure 2/121) which takes over the operation, the control of the supply power (Figure 2 /133) of the engine and through the feedback system the control of its revolutions and then the rotation of its axis (Figure 2/122).

The control system (Figure 2/121) includes the intelligent power unit (Figure 2/130), the communication bus (Figure 2/131), the control unit (Figure 2/132) and the power control (Figure 2/133) . The control unit (Figure 2/132) includes a processor (Figure 2/140), a memory unit (Figure 2/141) that communicates with it, algorithms for reading/writing and reproduction (Figure 2/142) stored in the unit memory (Figure 2/141), operation control switches (Figure 2/143), indicative notification functions (Figure 2/144) and sound notification functions (Figure 2/145) and data interface (Figure 2/146). All individual elements of the control unit (Figure 2/132) undertake specific processes and cooperate appropriately with the processor (Figure 2/140), which receives various data from the functional elements of the device or from the communication channel (Figure 1/310 ) through the communication channel (Figure 2/131) and processes them through the algorithms that are programmed and communicates with the intelligent power unit (Figure 2/130) which in cooperation with the power control (Figure 2/133) takes over the function of the rotation system (Figure 2/122). By activating the stirring system through the function control switches (Figure 2/143) and specifically the power switch (Figure 1/302), the control system (Figure 2/121) is supplied with mains voltage through the power input (Figure 2/ 120) and the processor (Figure 2/140) through the software stored in the memory unit (Figure 2/141) takes over the operation of the system as mentioned below. The processor (Figure 2/140) in combination with the software stored in the memory unit (Figure 2/141) through the function control switches (Figure 2/143) and the selection of manual mode through the mode selection switch (Figure 1 /304) the user can adjust the speed of the motor appropriately through the speed adjustment switch (Figure 1/305) and then by opening/closing the power control switch (Figure 1/309), communicates through the communication bus (Figure 2/131) with the intelligent power unit (Figure 2/130) which in cooperation with the power control (Figure 2/133) takes over the operation of the rotation system (Figure 2/122) to create an instant and temporary stirring sequence . The processor (Figure 2/140) combined with the software stored in the memory unit (Figure 2/141) through the function control switches (Figure 2/143) and the selection of automatic mode through the mode selection switch (Figure 1 /304) and by selecting the memory location selection switch (Figure 1/303) each user can select a specific memory location in the memory unit (Figure 2/141) through the program selection switches (Figure 1/306) and through the of algorithms stored in the memory unit (Figure 2/141) takes over the function of reading/writing and playing (Figure 2/142) the stirring sequences in real time. The processor (Figure 2/140) combined with the software stored in the memory unit (Figure 2/141) to read/write a complex stirring sequence by the user through prolonged activation of a specific program selection switch (Figure 1/306) activates the read/write function (Figure 2/142) and then using the power control switch (Figure 1/309) and the speed adjustment switch (Figure 1/305) adjusts the system operation according to the needs of the stirring while the control unit (Figure 2/132) communicates through the communication channel (Figure 2/131) with the intelligent power unit (Figure 2/130) which, in cooperation with the power control (Figure 2/133), takes over the operation of the rotation system (Figure 2/122) and a stirring sequence is recorded or rewritten in real time in the memory unit (Figure 2/141). Then the respective user by momentarily activating the specific program selection switch (Figure 1/306) deactivates the read/write or rewrite function (Figure 2/142). Then the user, through the momentary activation of a specific program selection switch (Figure 1/306), activates the playback function (Figure 2/142) while the control unit (Figure 2/132) communicates through the communication channel (Figure 2/131 ) with the intelligent power unit (Figure 2/130) which in cooperation with the power control (Figure 2/133) takes over the function of the rotation system (Figure 2/122) to reproduce recorded stirring sequences stored in the memory unit (Figure 2/141). During the manual operation of the stirring system through the mode selection switch (Figure 1/304) any selection of operating characteristics of the automatic mode is not carried out by the processor (Figure 2/140) through the software stored in the memory unit (Figure 2 /141) beyond the function selector switch (Figure 1/304). During the automatic operation of the stirring system through the mode selection switch (Figure 1/304) any selection of operating characteristics of the manual mode are not performed by the processor (Figure 2/140) through the software stored in the memory unit (Figure 2 /141) beyond the function selector switch (Figure 1/304). During the operation of the stirring system the processor (Figure 2/140) through the software stored in the memory unit (Figure 2/141) performs functions of indicative alerts (Figure 2/144) and functions of sound alerts (Figure 2/145) and notifies the respective user through the indicative alerts (Figure 1/307) and the sound alerts (Figure 1/308) during the operation of the system and after the end of each operation. The processor (Figure 2/140) in combination with the software stored in the memory unit (Figure 2/141) and through the communication channel (Figure 1/310) communicates either wired or wirelessly with external devices where a data interface is realized (Figure 2/146) for updating system software, configuring system operation, collecting system operation data or for operating the system and expanding system capabilities through compatible external devices.

Claims (10)

1. System for automating the process of stirring beverages (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) that adapts to any mixer and similar devices following a PnP (plug and play) connection standard or through a single beverage stirring device that incorporates the technology and its functional characteristics. The automation system of the beverage stirring process (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) includes read/write/rewrite (Figure 2/142) and playback (Figure 2/142) functions of complex beverage stirring sequences with the possibility to parameterize the characteristics operation of the system for automating the process of stirring drinks (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) by the user depending on the drink and its individual components, characterized by the fact that it includes a processor (Figure 2/140) that cooperates appropriately with the remaining functional characteristics of the control system (Figure 2/121) and the memory unit (Figure 2/141), where the execution program for reading/writing/rewriting (Figure 2/142) beverage stirring sequences is stored and then playback (Figure 2/142) of any recorded drink stirring sequence in real time. 2. System for automating the process of stirring drinks (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is powered by a power supply (Figure 2/120) and includes a power switch (Figure 1 /302) to enable/disable all system functions. 3. System for automating the process of stirring drinks (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that it includes a mode selection switch (Figure 1/304) of the system that communicates and cooperates with the control unit (Figure 2/132) to select automatic (Figure 2/143) or manual (Figure 2/143) system operation. By selecting the manual (Figure 2/143) mode through the mode selection switch (Figure 1/304) the automation system of the beverage stirring process (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) in cooperation with the control system ( Figure 2/121) is not affected by the functional characteristics of the automatic (Figure 2/143) operation of the mixer. By selecting the automatic (Figure 2/143) mode through the function selection switch (Figure 1/304) the automation system of the beverage stirring process (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) in cooperation with the control system ( Figure 2/121) is not affected by the functional characteristics of the manual (Figure 2/143) operation of the agitator. 4. System for automating the process of stirring beverages (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) according to claim 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that it includes program selection switches (Figure 1/306) that have a plurality of positions which correspond to specific memory locations in the memory unit (Figure 2/141) of the control unit (Figure 2/132) and have the possibility of selecting a specific memory location for reading/writing/rewriting (Figure 2/142) complex sequences of stirring drinks or playback (Figure 2/142) of any recorded sequence of stirring drinks in each memory location in cooperation with the control unit (Figure 2/132) which communicates via the communication channel (Figure 2/131) with the intelligent power unit (Figure 2/130 ) and the power control (Figure 2/133) and the selection of automatic (Figure 2/143) system operation. 5. System for automating the process of stirring drinks (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) according to claim 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterized in that it includes a memory position selection switch (Figure 1/303) which undertakes the switching of the memory positions of the program selection switches (Figure 1/306) in cooperation with the control unit (Figure 2/132), thus providing the possibility for each of the program selection switches (Figure 1/306) new memory locations for reading/writing/rewriting (Figure 2/142) complex beverage stirring sequences or playback (Figure 2/142) of new beverage stirring sequences. 6. System for automating the process of stirring drinks (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, characterized in that it includes a power control switch (Figure 1/309 ) for the operation of the rotation system (Figure 2/122) in collaboration with the control system (Figure 2/121). 7. System for automating the process of stirring beverages (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, characterized in that it includes a speed adjustment switch (Figure 1 /305) of the rotation system (Figure 2/122) in cooperation with the control system (Figure 2/121). 8. System for automating the process of stirring beverages (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, characterized in that it includes indicator lights (Figure 1 /307), display (Figure 1/307) and buzzer or speaker (Figure 1/308) which cooperate appropriately with the control unit (Figure 2/132) providing indicative (Figure 1/307) and audible alerts (Figure 1/308 ) through the indicator functions (Figure 2/144) and sound functions (Figure 2/145) of the control unit (Figure 2/132) which provide useful information to the user about the operating status of the automation system of the beverage stirring process (Figure 1/ 300) and (Figure 2/100) and various parameters of its operation characteristics. 9. System for automating the process of stirring drinks (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, characterized in that it includes a communication channel (Figure 1/310) for wired or wireless communication with external devices where, in cooperation with the control system (Figure 2/121), a data interface (Figure 2/146) is created to update system software, configure system operation, expand capabilities of the system through externals devices for its operation and the collection of system operation data for various uses. 10. Method for the operation of the automation system of the beverage stirring process (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100). To create a read/write/rewrite (Figure 2/142) of a beverage stirring sequence consists of the following steps: supply power (Figure 2/120) to the system, activate the system via the power switch (Figure 1/302), place of the system in automatic (Figure 2/143) mode via the mode selection switch (Figure 1/304), selection of memory locations by the memory location selection switch (Figure 1/303), selection of a specific memory location for reading/writing/ rewriting (Figure 2/142) a sequence of stirring drinks through the program selection switches (Figure 1/306), adjusting its adjustable characteristics through the power control switch (Figure 1/309) and the speed adjustment switch (Figure 1/305) for the operation of the rotation system (Figure 2/122) and storage of the stirring sequence in the memory unit (Figure 2/141) in real time in cooperation with the control system (Figure 2/121). To reproduce (Figure 2/142) a drink stirring sequence the following steps are required: supply power (Figure 2/120) to the system, activate the system via the power switch (Figure 1/302), set the system to automatic (Figure 2/143) operation via the mode selection switch (Figure 1/304), selection of memory locations by the memory location selection switch (Figure 1/303) and selection of a specific memory location via the program selection switches (Figure 1/306) for the playback (Figure 2/142) of recorded beverage stirring sequences from the memory unit (Figure 2/141) in cooperation with the control system (Figure 2/121). When selecting the automatic (Figure 2/143) mode through the mode selection switch (Figure 1/304) the system in cooperation with the control system (Figure 2/121) is not affected by the functional characteristics of the manual (Figure 2/143 ) of the mixer. For the manual (Figure 2/143) operation of the beverage stirring process automation system (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100) the following steps are required: power supply (Figure 2/120) of the system, activation of the system via of the power switch (Figure 1/302), placing the system in manual (Figure 2/143) mode via the mode selection switch (Figure 1/304), adjusting the adjustable characteristics of the system via the power control switch (Figure 1/309 ) and the speed adjustment switch (Figure 1/305) for the operation of the rotation system (Figure 2/122) in cooperation with the control system (Figure 2/121). When selecting the manual (Figure 2/143) mode through the mode selection switch (Figure 1/304) the system in cooperation with the control system (Figure 2/121) is not affected by the functional characteristics of the automatic (Figure 2/143 ) of the mixer. During the operation of the system for automating the beverage stirring process (Figure 1/300) and (Figure 2/100), indicative alerts (Figure 1/307) and sound alerts (Figure 1/308) are provided through the indicator lights (Figure 1/307 ), the screen (Figure 1/307) and the buzzer or speaker (Figure 1/308) that cooperate appropriately with the control unit (Figure 2/132) and provide useful information to the user about the system's operating status and various parameters of the characteristics of its operation.