JP2011084276A - Liquid quality control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid quality control apparatus which eliminates the fluctuations in liquid quality control. <P>SOLUTION: A beer quality control system 51 includes a beer quality control apparatus 71, a sensor information acquiring and controlling apparatus 73, and a temperature displaying panel 75. The beer quality control apparatus 71 acquires sensor information from the sensor information acquiring and controlling apparatus 73. The beer quality control apparatus 71 determines an executing situation on water cleaning and sponge cleaning for quality control based on the acquired sensor information. The sensor information acquiring and controlling apparatus 73 is installed in a beer feeding piping path of a beer server B1 installed in a restaurant or the like and detects the controlling condition of the beer server B1 using a beer detecting sensor. In addition, the acquired sensor information is accumulated and transmitted to the beer quality control apparatus 71. The sensor information acquiring and controlling apparatus 73 measures the temperature of the cooling water in the beer server B1 using a cooling water temperature sensor. The temperature displaying panel 75 acquires temperature information from the sensor information acquiring and controlling apparatus 73 and displays the information on the panel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid quality management system for managing the quality of a liquid, and more particularly to a system that eliminates variations in liquid quality control.

  Conventionally, there is a beer server as an apparatus for providing a liquid. A conventional beer server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The beer server B1 has a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 2, a beer barrel 3, an input side gas hose 4, an output side gas hose 5, a beer pipeline 6, and a dispenser body 10. Such a beer server 1 is generally used in restaurants. A user who wants to pour out beer from the beer server 1 tilts the pour lever 22 in a predetermined direction or the other direction. When the pouring lever 22 is tilted in the beer pouring direction, beer is poured from the beer pouring port 24, and when the pouring lever 22 is tilted in the foam pouring direction, the foam pouring port 25 Foam is poured out.

  In such a beer server B1, for example, the temperature of the beer to be provided is managed at an appropriate temperature, or the beer server B1 itself is periodically cleaned so that various germs and dirt are not mixed in the beer provided. Is responsible for quality control of beer.

JP 2007-91232 A

  The conventional beer quality control has the following points to be improved. Quality control in the beer server is carried out depending on the skill and morals of each store owner and quality manager. Therefore, while beer servers are regularly cleaned to prevent contamination and contamination of beer and there are stores that appropriately manage the temperature of beer provided to customers, such quality control There are also stores that offer beer to customers without doing anything. In other words, there is a variation in the quality control of beer among stores, and there is an improvement that there are stores that provide delicious beer even if the same beer, and stores that provide unpleasant beer such as strange odor and miscellaneous taste. There is a point to be done.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid quality control apparatus that eliminates variations in liquid quality control.

  Means for solving the problems in the present invention and the effects of the invention will be described below.

  The liquid quality management system according to the present invention is the liquid quality management system for managing the quality of the liquid in the liquid supply apparatus that supplies the liquid stored in the liquid / liquid storage member via the supply line. A detection information acquisition means for acquiring detection information from a detection means for detecting an internal state by irradiating light from the outside and detecting light transmitted through the supply pipe across the supply pipe; A supply line for determining whether the internal state of the supply line has a state in which an empty liquid state in which nothing flows in the supply line continues for a predetermined time due to a change over time If the internal state of the supply line does not have a state in which the air-liquid state continues beyond a predetermined time during the fallow time of the liquid supply device, the first state of the supply line Cleaning letter A first cleaning state determining means for determining that uncleaned having.

  Thereby, the 1st cleaning state in a liquid supply apparatus can be managed with time. Therefore, the quality of the liquid based on the first cleaning state in the liquid supply device can be maintained. Moreover, even if there are a plurality of liquid supply apparatuses, the first cleaning state in the liquid supply apparatus can be managed in an integrated manner. Therefore, the dispersion | variation in the quality of the liquid based on the 1st cleaning state between liquid supply apparatuses can be eliminated.

  In the liquid quality control system according to the present invention, the liquid is beer, and the first cleaning state determination means sets the state where the supply pipe of the liquid providing device is not washed with water as uncleaned. The first cleaning state is determined.

  Thereby, it can be grasped easily and surely whether water washing in each liquid supply device is performed.

  In general, when the liquid supply device is not washed with water, dirt may accumulate in the supply pipe and microorganisms may propagate. The liquid provided via such a supply line is contaminated by contamination of the supply line, resulting in quality degradation such as a decrease in flavor. Thus, when the liquid supply apparatus is not washed with water, there is a possibility of providing a liquid with a deteriorated quality to the consumer. That is, by grasping whether or not each liquid supply device is performing water cleaning, it is possible to grasp whether or not a liquid with deteriorated quality is not provided. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the quality of the liquid caused by providing the liquid through the supply line that has not been cleaned.

  In the liquid quality control system according to the present invention, when the value of the detection information when the supply pipe is in the air-liquid state tends to decrease, or the supply pipe has liquid in the supply pipe. And a second cleaning state determination unit that determines that the second cleaning state of the supply pipe line is not cleaned when the value of the detection information when the liquid is flowing is decreasing.

  Thereby, the 2nd cleaning state in a liquid supply apparatus can be managed with time. Therefore, the quality of the liquid based on the second cleaning state in the liquid supply apparatus can be maintained. Further, even when there are a plurality of liquid supply devices, the second cleaning state in the liquid supply device can be managed in an integrated manner. Therefore, the dispersion | variation in the quality of the liquid based on the 2nd cleaning state between liquid supply apparatuses can be eliminated.

  In the liquid quality control system according to the present invention, the liquid is beer, and the second cleaning state determination means sets the state where the supply pipe of the liquid providing device is not cleaned as an uncleaned state. The second cleaning state is determined.

  This makes it possible to easily and reliably grasp whether or not sponge cleaning is being performed on the supply pipeline of each liquid supply apparatus.

  In general, when the liquid supply device is not washed with sponge, dirt may accumulate in the supply line and microorganisms may propagate in the same manner as when the liquid supply device is not washed with water. The liquid provided via such a supply line is contaminated by contamination of the supply line, resulting in quality degradation such as a decrease in flavor. Such a phenomenon occurs even when water washing is performed. Since water cleaning is simple, it is suitable for daily cleaning. However, since the degree of cleaning is weak, it is not possible to completely prevent the accumulation of dirt in the supply pipeline. Sponge cleaning, on the other hand, is troublesome because the inside of the supply line is cleaned using a cleaning member such as sponge, and is more suitable for regular cleaning operations than for daily cleaning operations. Further, since the degree of cleaning is strong, it is possible to completely remove dirt in the supply pipe line that could not be removed by water cleaning.

  Thus, when the liquid supply device is not sponge-cleaned, even if water cleaning is performed appropriately, there is a possibility of providing liquid with a deteriorated quality to the consumer. In other words, by grasping whether or not sponge cleaning is performed in each liquid supply apparatus, it is possible to grasp whether or not a liquid with deteriorated quality is not provided. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the quality of the liquid caused by providing the liquid through the supply line that has not been cleaned.

  In the liquid quality management system according to the present invention, when the liquid supply device has an operation time of the liquid supply device, the liquid supply device has a state in which an internal state of the supply pipe line exceeds a predetermined time and an air-liquid state continues. Liquid storage member replacement determining means for determining that the storage member has been replaced.

  Thereby, the exchange state of the liquid storage device in the liquid supply device can be managed over time. Further, even when there are a plurality of liquid supply devices, the exchange state of the liquid storage device in the liquid supply device can be managed in an integrated manner. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate variations in the quality of the liquid based on the exchange state of the liquid storage device between the liquid supply devices.

  In the liquid quality management system according to the present invention, the supply pipe internal state determination means further includes:

  It is determined whether or not the internal state of the supply pipe line has a state in which the bubble-flowing state in which bubbles are flowing in the supply pipe line has continued for a predetermined time based on a change in the detection information with time. The liquid quality control device further includes an operation state of the liquid providing device in which the internal state of the supply pipe has a state where a bubble passing state has continued beyond a predetermined time, Liquid supply pressure determining means for determining that the gas pressure when supplying the liquid is inappropriate.

  Thereby, the liquid supply pressure in the liquid supply apparatus can be managed over time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the quality of the liquid based on whether or not the liquid supply pressure is appropriate. In addition, even when there are a plurality of liquid supply devices, the state of the liquid supply pressure in the liquid supply device can be managed in an integrated manner. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate variations in the quality of the liquid based on the suitability of the liquid supply pressure between the liquid supply apparatuses.

  In the liquid quality management system according to the present invention, using the operation time table in which the operation time of the liquid quality control device is described or the fallow time table in which the fallow time of the liquid quality control device is described, the operation time or the Determine fallow time.

  Thereby, it is possible to easily and surely grasp the suitability of the first cleaning state, the second cleaning state, the liquid storage member replacement state, and the liquid supply pressure in the liquid supply device for each store.

  The liquid quality control system according to the present invention detects the temperature of the liquid stored in the liquid storage member or the temperature of the liquid before the liquid stored in the liquid storage member is cooled. Storage liquid temperature information acquisition means for acquiring storage liquid temperature information from the storage liquid temperature detection means, and when the temperature of the liquid in the storage liquid temperature information is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time or longer, the liquid storage member A liquid storage member installation environment judging means for judging that the installation environment is inappropriate is provided.

  Thereby, the suitability of the installation environment of the liquid storage member can be easily and reliably grasped.

  In the liquid quality control system according to the present invention, when the internal state of the supply pipe is in a state where the air-liquid state continues for a predetermined time, the liquid is supplied from the liquid storage member to the liquid supply device. There is a flow path control means for closing the flow path opening and closing means for opening and closing the flow path for supply.

  Thereby, replacement | exchange of a liquid storage member can be performed smoothly.

  The liquid quality control system according to the present invention includes: a cooling water temperature detecting unit that detects a cooling water temperature used by the liquid supply device as cooling water temperature information; and a display control unit that displays the cooling water temperature on a predetermined display unit. Have.

  Thereby, since it is thought that the temperature of a liquid is substantially equal to the temperature of cooling water, the temperature of a liquid can be confirmed easily. Therefore, since the person who receives the liquid can know the temperature of the liquid by checking the display means, the liquid cooling state based on the temperature can be appealed to the person.

    The liquid quality control system according to the present invention provides a provided liquid temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the liquid provided by the liquid supply device to the outside as provided liquid temperature information, and displays the provided liquid temperature on a predetermined display means. Display control means;

  Thereby, the temperature of the liquid at the time of providing to the exterior can be confirmed easily. Therefore, since the person who receives the liquid can know the temperature of the liquid when it is provided outside by checking the display means, it is possible to appeal the liquid cooling state based on the temperature to the person concerned. it can.

  Here, “water cleaning” means that the supply line is cleaned by removing the liquid from the liquid supply line and passing a cleaning liquid such as water.

The “sponge cleaning” refers to cleaning the inside of the supply pipe line by passing a linear member such as sponge or cloth inside the liquid supply pipe line.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the function in Example 1 of the liquid quality control apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the beer quality management system. It is a figure which shows the structure of beer server B1. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the beer quality control apparatus 71. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the sensor information acquisition management apparatus 73. FIG. It is a figure explaining the correlation with the state of the supply of the beer in the infrared light and the beer pipeline 6 which the light projection element D3 irradiates. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of control circuit D15. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the temperature display panel 75. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a display control circuit 755. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of sensor information DB. It is a figure which shows the data structure of store DB. It is a figure which shows the data structure of pipeline state management DB. It is a figure which shows the data structure of beer barrel temperature management DB. It is a figure which shows the data structure of cooling water temperature management DB. It is a figure which shows the data structure of store quality control condition DB. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of a sensor information acquisition management device 73. It is a figure for demonstrating the basic concept about each process which the beer quality management apparatus 71 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the pipe line state judgment process of the beer quality management apparatus 71. It is a flowchart which shows the barrel replacement condition judgment process of the beer quality management apparatus 71. It is a flowchart which shows the water washing condition judgment process of the beer quality management apparatus 71. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the sponge cleaning condition judgment process of the beer quality management apparatus 71. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the gas pressure condition judgment process of the beer quality management apparatus 71. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the quality control condition display process of the beer quality control apparatus 71. It is a figure which shows an online quality management menu screen. It is a figure which shows a store search screen. It is a figure which shows the quality introduction screen according to an individual store. It is a figure which shows an area search screen. It is a figure which shows a quality condition list screen. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of a temperature display panel 75. It is a flowchart which shows other embodiment of sponge cleaning condition judgment processing. It is a flowchart which shows the flow-path control process which CPU711 performs as other embodiment. It is a figure which shows the conventional beer server.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Background to the First Invention The background to the liquid quality control device according to the present invention will be described by taking beer as an example of liquid. As one form at the time of providing beer in a restaurant, there is one that provides beer filled in a beer barrel via a beer server.

  Until the beer barrel is filled with beer, it is performed at the manufacturer's factory, etc., so consistent and strict quality control is performed. Accordingly, beer barrels are filled with beer maintaining appropriate quality as beer to be provided to customers. In this manner, beer that has been subjected to strict quality control is provided to customers at each restaurant via a beer server.

  Each restaurant is a final organization that pours beer filled in a beer barrel into beer mugs, beer glasses, and the like, and finally provides them to customers. However, in each restaurant, it is impossible to perform quality control as much as quality control in a factory, but there is a place where even minimum quality control is not performed. As for the minimum necessary quality control, training by manufacturers and the like is conducted, but it is left to each restaurant whether or not to practice the training.

  In this way, it is not the intention of manufacturers to not provide customers with strict quality controlled beers by manufacturers, and sales as a restaurant cannot provide quality controlled beers. The decrease is not what we intended.

  In view of this, the present inventors have developed a system for accurately grasping the quality control status at each restaurant and performing sufficient quality control at each restaurant.

  An important factor in development is what kind of index to extract in quality control at each restaurant. In addition, the index to be extracted must be one that can be acquired at each restaurant.

  The applicant starts with an index selection operation, and as a result, the degree of cleaning of the beer server, the pressure (gas pressure) supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder used when providing the beer with the beer server, and the beer barrel are placed. We found that the temperature at the location affects beer quality control.

  Furthermore, the applicant examined how to extract data for judging the quality control status based on the selected index from each restaurant. As a result, it was determined that it was necessary to determine the state of the beer being supplied, and a beer detection sensor described later was developed. Furthermore, by analyzing the data collected using the beer detection sensor, the results of repeated research and examination on how to determine the state of beer determine the state of beer from the sensor value obtained from the beer detection sensor. I found what I could do.

  The beer quality management system 51 including the beer quality management device 71 described below is invented based on such a unique problem consciousness by the applicant and knowledge obtained from research and development from a unique viewpoint.

The function of the 2nd beer quality control apparatus 71 The function of the beer quality control apparatus 71 which is one Example of the liquid quality control apparatus which concerns on this invention is demonstrated using the functional block diagram shown in FIG. The beer quality control device 71 includes detection information acquisition means M1, supply pipe internal state determination means M3, first cleaning state determination means M5, second cleaning state determination means M7, liquid storage member replacement determination means M9, and liquid. Supply pressure determination means M11 is provided. The beer quality management device 71 manages the quality of the liquid in the liquid supply device that supplies the liquid stored in the liquid storage member via the supply pipe line. The beer quality management device 71 manages the quality of beer as a liquid.

  The detection information acquisition unit M1 receives detection information from a detection unit that detects an internal state by irradiating the supply pipe with light from the outside and detecting light transmitted through the supply pipe across the supply pipe. get.

  The supply pipe internal state determination means M3 continues with the internal state of the supply pipe being in an empty liquid state in which nothing flows in the supply pipe over a predetermined time due to a change in the detection information with time. It is determined whether or not it has a state. In addition, the supply pipe internal state determination means M3 keeps the internal state of the supply pipe line in a state where bubbles flow through the supply pipe line over a predetermined time due to a change in the detection information with time. It is judged whether it has the state which has been.

  The first cleaning state determination means M5 is configured to supply the supply when the internal state of the supply pipe line does not have a state in which an air-liquid state continues beyond a predetermined time during a fallow time of the liquid providing device. The first cleaning state of the pipeline is determined to be uncleaned. In addition, the first cleaning state determination unit M5 determines the first cleaning state by setting the state where the supply pipe of the liquid providing device is not washed with water as uncleaned.

  The second cleaning state determination means M7 is configured such that when the value of the detection information when the supply pipe is in the air-liquid state tends to decrease, or when the supply pipe flows into the supply pipe When the value of the detection information when the liquid passage state is in a decreasing tendency, the second cleaning state of the supply pipeline is determined to be uncleaned. Further, the second cleaning state determination means M7 determines the second cleaning state by setting the state where the supply pipe line of the liquid providing apparatus is not cleaned with sponge as an uncleaned state.

  The liquid storage member replacement determination means M9 is configured to store the liquid when the internal state of the supply pipe line exceeds a predetermined time and the air-liquid state continues during the operation time of the liquid providing device. It is determined that the member has been replaced.

  The liquid supply pressure determination means M11 supplies the liquid when the internal state of the supply pipe line has a state where the bubble passing state continues beyond a predetermined time during the operation time of the liquid providing device. Judging that the gas pressure is inappropriate.

  The liquid quality management device 71 determines the operation time or the fallow time using an operation time table in which the operation time of the liquid quality management device is described.

  Thereby, even if there are a plurality of liquid supply apparatuses, the first cleaning state in the liquid supply apparatus can be managed in an integrated manner. Therefore, the dispersion | variation in the quality of the liquid based on the 1st cleaning state between liquid supply apparatuses can be eliminated. Further, even when there are a plurality of liquid supply devices, the second cleaning state in the liquid supply device can be managed in an integrated manner. Therefore, the dispersion | variation in the quality of the liquid based on the 2nd cleaning state between liquid supply apparatuses can be eliminated.

Third Configuration System Configuration of Beer Quality Management System 51 The system configuration of the beer quality management system 51 including the beer quality management device 71 will be described with reference to FIG. The beer quality management system 51 includes a beer quality management device 71, a sensor information acquisition management device 73, and a temperature display panel 75. The beer quality management device 71 and the sensor information acquisition management device 73 are connected to each other via a network so that information can be transmitted and received. Note that the network to be connected is not limited to wired or wireless.

  The beer quality management device 71 acquires sensor information from one or more sensor information acquisition management devices 73. The beer quality management device 71 executes a predetermined process based on the acquired sensor information. The process which the beer quality management apparatus 71 performs is mentioned later.

  The sensor information acquisition management device 73 is installed in a beer supply pipeline of the beer server B1 installed in a restaurant or the like. The sensor information acquisition management device 73 has a beer detection sensor (described later) for detecting the management state of the beer server B1. The sensor information acquisition management device 73 stores the sensor information acquired from the beer detection sensor, and transmits the stored sensor information to the beer quality management device 71. Moreover, the sensor information acquisition management apparatus 73 measures the temperature of the cooling water of beer server B1 using a temperature sensor. The sensor information acquisition management device 73 transmits the measured cooling water temperature to the temperature display panel 75.

  The temperature display panel 75 acquires temperature information from the sensor information acquisition management device 73 and displays it on the panel.

  Hereinafter, hardware configurations of the beer quality management device 71 and the sensor information acquisition management device 73 will be described.

2. Structure of Beer Server B1 Before describing the hardware configuration of the beer quality management device 71 and the sensor information acquisition management device 73, the structure of the beer server B1 that is a liquid supply device will be described with reference to FIG. The beer server B1 has a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 2, a beer barrel 3 as a storage member, an input side gas hose 4, an output side gas hose 5, a beer line 6 as a supply line, and a dispenser body 10. The dispenser main body 10 is connected to a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 2 that contains carbon dioxide gas and a beer barrel 3 that contains beer, and is configured so that beer can be poured out. The dispenser body 10 is connected to the carbon dioxide cylinder 2 via the input side gas hose 4. The dispenser body 10 is connected to the beer barrel 3 via the output side gas hose 5 and the beer conduit 6.

  The dispenser body 10 includes a machine room 11, a cooling water tank 12, and a beverage dispensing mechanism 20. The machine room 11 is located below the dispenser body 10. The machine room 11 includes a cooling compressor 13 and a heat radiating fan 14. The cooling water tank 12 is located above the dispenser body 10. The cooling water tank 12 includes an evaporator 15, a stirrer 16, and a cooling coil 17.

  The beverage dispensing mechanism 20 has a dispensing valve 21, a dispensing lever 22 and a valve driving unit 23. The dispensing valve 21 dispenses beer supplied from the beer barrel 3 through the dispenser body 10. The extraction bubble 21 has a beer pouring port 24 for pouring beer and a foam pouring port 25 for pouring foam. The dispensing lever 22 is for opening and closing the dispensing valve 21. When the extraction lever 22 is tilted in a predetermined direction, beer is provided from the beer spout 24, and when it is tilted in the predetermined other direction, foam is provided from the foam spout 25. The valve drive unit 23 drives the valve by tilting the dispensing lever 22.

  In addition, such a beer server B1 is generally used in restaurants.

  The beer dispensing operation in the beer server B1 will be described. Carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide cylinder 2 is fed into the machine chamber 11 of the dispenser body 10 via the input side gas hose 4. The carbon dioxide gas is regulated by pressure regulating means (not shown), and the carbon dioxide gas of each system is introduced into the beer barrel 3 via the output side gas hose 5.

  Beer contained in the beer barrel 3 is fed into the dispenser main body 10 through the beer pipe 6 by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas, and led to the cooling coil 17 of the cooling water tank 12. Here, the cooling water around the cooling coil 17 is cooled by the evaporator 15 and stirred by the stirrer 16, so that it is kept at an appropriate temperature. Therefore, the beer guided to the cooling coil 17 is indirectly cooled by the cooling water while passing through the cooling coil 17. The beer thus cooled reaches the dispensing valve 21 of the beverage dispensing mechanism 20.

  A user who wants to pour out beer from the beer server B1 tilts the pour lever 22 in a predetermined direction or the other direction. When the pouring lever 22 is tilted in the beer pouring direction, beer is poured from the beer pouring port 24, and when the pouring lever 22 is tilted in the foam pouring direction, the foam pouring port 25 Foam is poured out.

3. Hardware Configuration of Beer Quality Management Device 71 The hardware configuration of the beer quality management device 71 will be described with reference to FIG. The beer quality management device 71 includes a CPU 711, a memory 712, a hard disk drive 713 (hereinafter referred to as HDD 713), a keyboard 714, a mouse 715, a display 716, an optical drive 717, and a communication circuit 718.

  The CPU 711 performs processing based on other applications such as an operating system (OS) and a beer quality management program recorded in the HDD 713. The memory 712 provides a work area to the CPU 711. The HDD 713 records and holds other applications such as an operating system (OS) and a beer quality management program.

  The keyboard 714 and the mouse 715 accept external commands. The display 716 displays an image such as a user interface. The optical drive 717 reads the beer quality control program from the optical media 710 in which the lottery server program is recorded, and reads the program of other applications from other optical media, and the like. Read. The communication circuit 718 includes a communication circuit connected to a network, and transmits / receives data to / from an external communication device such as the sensor information acquisition management device 73.

5). Hardware configuration of sensor information acquisition management device 73 The sensor information acquisition management device 73 can be installed later on the existing beer server B1. For this reason, it is not necessary to develop a new beer server B1. Since the existing beer server B1 can be used by using the sensor information acquisition management device 73, it is possible to reduce the initial introduction cost of a user who intends to introduce the beer quality management system 51. At the same time, by using the sensor information acquisition management device 73, it is possible to provide a new service for centrally managing the quality of the beer provided from the beer server B1 to the introduction user of the beer quality management system 51. Become.

  The hardware configuration of the sensor information acquisition management device 73 will be described with reference to the perspective view shown in FIG. FIG. 5A shows a state where the sensor information acquisition management device 73 is attached to the beer pipeline 6, and FIG. 5B shows a state where the sensor information acquisition management device 73 is removed from the beer pipeline 6.

  The sensor information acquisition management device 73 includes a beer detection sensor D1, a casing D9, a light emitting element D10, a switch D11, a cooling water temperature sensor D13, a supply beer temperature sensor D14, and a control circuit D15. As shown in FIG. 5A, a light emitting element D10 and a switch D11 are incorporated on the outer surface of the housing D9. As shown in FIG. 5B, a beer detection sensor D1 and a control circuit D15 are incorporated in the housing D9. Moreover, the cooling water temperature sensor D13 and the supply beer temperature sensor D14 are connected to the control circuit D15.

(1) Beer detection sensor D1
As shown in FIG. 5B, the beer detection sensor D1 includes a light projecting element D3 and a light receiving element D4. The light projecting element D3 and the light receiving element D4 are disposed in the casing D9 so as to face each other with the beer pipe line 6 interposed therebetween when the casing D9 is closed. The light projecting element D3 emits infrared light, and the light receiving element D4 receives infrared light.

  Here, the correlation between the infrared light irradiated by the light projecting element D3 and the supply state of beer in the beer pipeline 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A shows a state (state A) where the internal space IS of the beer pipe 6 is a gas such as air (state A), and FIG. 6B shows a state where the internal space IS of the beer pipe 6 is a liquid such as water (state b). As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in the case of the state A, the infrared light irradiated from the light projecting element D3 is diffused as compared with the case of the state B. Therefore, the amount of infrared light received by the light receiving element D4 in the state B is relatively smaller than the amount of infrared light received by the light receiving element D4 in the state B. This is due to the difference in refractive index between gas and liquid.

  Further, in a state where bubbles are generated in a liquid such as beer that passes through the inside of the beer pipe 6, the inside of the beer pipe 6 is mixed with the liquid state and the gas state, and is violently switched. For this reason, the amount of light received by the light receiving element D4 changes drastically. By analyzing the change in the amount of received light, it is possible to grasp the generation state of bubbles more reliably.

  For such a change in the amount of light received by the light receiving element D4, the light receiving signal of the light receiving element D4 is acquired by the control circuit D15, and the supply state of beer is determined by data processing.

  In addition, beer detection sensor D1 uses the technique of Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2008-180643.

(2) Cooling water temperature sensor D13
The cooling water temperature sensor D13 detects the temperature of the cooling water in the cooling water tank 12. The cooling water temperature sensor D13 is installed in the cooling water tank 12 that stores the cooling water. Note that a general thermocouple temperature sensor is used as the cooling water temperature sensor D13.

(3) Supply beer temperature sensor D14
The supply beer temperature sensor D <b> 14 detects the temperature of the beer flowing through the beer pipeline 6. The supply beer temperature sensor D <b> 14 is installed at a position near the beer barrel of the beer pipeline 6. In addition, a general thermocouple temperature sensor is used for supply beer temperature sensor D14, and it is embedded in beer pipeline 6.

(4) Control circuit D15
A hardware configuration of the control circuit D15 is shown in FIG. The control circuit D15 includes a CPU 731, a memory 732, a power supply circuit 733, an input / output circuit 736, a timer circuit 737, and a communication circuit 738.

  The CPU 731 performs processing based on other applications such as a sensor information management program recorded in the memory 732. The memory 732 stores and holds programs such as a sensor information management program. The memory 732 stores and holds a sensor information database (hereinafter referred to as sensor information DB). The sensor information DB will be described later. Further, the memory 732 provides a work area for the CPU 731.

  The power supply circuit 733 supplies necessary power to the CPU 731 and the like. The input / output circuit 736 acquires the amount of light received from the light receiving element D4 of the beer detection sensor D1 as beer detection sensor information, and temperature sensor information from the cooling water temperature sensor D13 and the supply beer temperature sensor D14, respectively. The timer circuit 737 measures time. The communication circuit 738 has a communication circuit connected to a network, and transmits / receives data to / from external communication devices such as the beer quality control device 71 and the temperature display panel 75.

6). Hardware Configuration of Temperature Display Panel 75 The hardware configuration of the temperature display panel 75 will be described with reference to FIG. The temperature display panel 75 includes an image display area 751 for displaying an image for a poster, a liquid crystal panel 753 for displaying the temperature of the cooling water, and a display control circuit 755. The liquid crystal panel 753 displays the coolant temperature sensor information acquired from the sensor information acquisition management device 73.

  A hardware configuration of the display control circuit 755 is shown in FIG. The display control circuit 755 includes a CPU 755a, a memory 755b, a communication circuit 755c, and a power supply circuit 755d. The CPU 755a performs control for displaying the temperature on the liquid crystal panel 753. The memory 755b stores and holds data necessary for displaying the temperature on the liquid crystal panel 753. The communication circuit 755c receives the temperature sensor information of the cooling water transmitted from the sensor information acquisition management device 73. The power supply circuit 755d has a battery. The power supply circuit 755d supplies power to the CPU 755a and the communication circuit 755c.

4th data Beer management DB, store DB, and store management situation DB which beer quality management device 71 memorizes and holds in HDD713 are explained below. The sensor information DB stored in the memory 732 by the sensor information acquisition management device 73 will also be described below.

1. Sensor information DB
The sensor information DB stores the beer detection sensor information acquired by the CPU 731 from the beer detection sensor D1, the temperature sensor information acquired from the cooling water temperature sensor D13 and the supply beer temperature sensor D14 as a database. The data structure of the sensor information DB is shown in FIG.

  The sensor information DB has a store ID description area, a sensor type description area, an acquisition time description area, and a sensor value description area. In the store ID description area, a store ID that uniquely identifies the store where the beer server B1 is installed is described. In the sensor type description area, “beer detection sensor” is acquired when the beer detection sensor information is acquired from the beer detection sensor D1, and “cooling water temperature sensor” is acquired when the temperature sensor information is acquired from the cooling water temperature sensor D13. However, when temperature sensor information is acquired from the supply beer temperature sensor D14, “supply beer temperature sensor” is described. In the reception time description area, the time when sensor information is acquired from each sensor is described. In the sensor value description area, the value of sensor information received from each detection sensor is described.

2. Store DB
The store DB stores bibliographic items related to the store where the beer server B1 is installed as a database. The data structure of the store DB is shown in FIG.

  The store DB has a store ID description area, a store name description area, an address description area, a contact address description area, and a business hours description area. A store ID given to each store is described in the store ID description area. A store name is described in the store name description area. In the address description area, the location and address of each store are described. In the contact description area, contact information of each store, for example, a telephone number is described. In the business hours description area, business hours of each store, for example, “12:00 pm to 10:00 pm” are described.

3. Supply pipeline state management DB
The supply pipeline state management DB stores the state of the beer pipeline 6 of the beer server B1 at the time when the beer detection sensor information is acquired as a database. The data structure of the supply pipeline state management DB is shown in FIG.

  The supply pipeline state management DB has a store ID description region, an acquisition time description region, an attenuation amount description region, and a supply pipeline state description region. In the store ID description area and the acquisition time description area, the store ID of the beer state information acquired from the sensor information acquisition management device 73 and the value of the acquisition time are described.

  In the attenuation amount description area, a value obtained by subtracting the acquired sensor value of the beer detection sensor D1 from a predetermined initial sensor value of the beer detection sensor D1 is described.

  In the supply pipeline state description area, “the state of the supply pipeline at the acquisition time” determined from the beer detection sensor information acquired from the sensor information acquisition management device 73 is described. For example, in a state where no beer flows in the beer pipeline 6 of the beer server B1, “air liquid” is described.

4). Beer barrel temperature management DB
The beer barrel temperature management DB stores, as a database, the temperature of the beer flowing through the beer pipeline 6 at a position close to the beer barrel 3 as the temperature of the beer barrel 3 of the beer server B1 at the time when the supplied beer temperature sensor information is acquired. Is. The data structure of the beer barrel temperature management DB is shown in FIG. 12a.

  The beer barrel temperature management DB has a store ID description area, an acquisition time description area, and a sensor information description area. The store ID description area, the acquisition time description area, and the sensor information description area are associated with the store ID of the beer state information acquired from the sensor information acquisition management device 73, the acquisition time, and the value of the supplied beer temperature sensor information, respectively. Is described.

5). Cooling water temperature management DB
The cooling water temperature management DB stores the temperature of the cooling water of the beer server B1 at the time when the cooling water temperature sensor information is acquired as a database. The data structure of the cooling water temperature management DB is shown in FIG. 12b.

  The cooling water temperature management DB has a store ID description area, an acquisition time description area, and a sensor information description area. The store ID description area, the acquisition time description area, and the sensor information description area are associated with the store ID of the beer state information acquired from the sensor information acquisition management device 73, the acquisition time, and the value of the cooling water temperature sensor information, respectively. Is described.

6). Store quality control status DB
The store quality control status DB stores the beer quality control status at the store where the beer server B1 is installed as a database. The data structure of the store quality management status DB is shown in FIG.

  The store quality control status DB has a store ID description region, a date description region, a beer barrel replacement description region, a water cleaning description region, a sponge cleaning description region, and a gas pressure description region. In the store ID description area, the store ID of each store is described. In the date description area, the date of determining the implementation status of water cleaning and sponge cleaning and counting the number of beer barrel replacements is described.

  In the beer barrel exchange description area, the number of beer barrels exchanged on the previous day at the date described in the date is described. In the water washing description area, “the state of water washing in each store” determined based on the sensor values collected by the sensor information acquisition management device 73 is described. When the water cleaning is performed, “◯” is described, and when the water cleaning is not performed, “×” is described. In the sponge cleaning description area, “the state of sponge cleaning in each store” determined based on the sensor values collected by the sensor information acquisition management device 73 is described. “O” is described when sponge cleaning is performed, and “X” is described when sponge cleaning is not performed.

  In the gas pressure description area, the state of the gas pressure, which is the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 2 when supplying the beer stored in the beer barrel 3 from the dispenser body 10 to the outside, is described. “◯” is described when the gas pressure is appropriate, and “X” is described when the gas pressure is inappropriate.

Operation of the fifth beer quality management system 51 Operation of Sensor Information Acquisition Management Device 73 The operation of the sensor information acquisition management device 73 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. When the CPU 731 of the sensor information acquisition management device 73 determines that the predetermined time has passed by the time counting circuit 737 (S901), the beer detection sensor information is supplied from the beer detection sensor D1, and the cooling water temperature sensor information is supplied from the cooling water temperature sensor D13. Each supply beer temperature information is acquired from beer temperature sensor D14 (S903). The CPU 731 associates the acquired sensor type, the value of the sensor information, and the acquisition time of the sensor information, describes them in the sensor information DB, and stores and holds them in the memory 732 (905).

  When the predetermined time has elapsed (S907), the CPU 731 transmits the value of the sensor information DB stored in the memory 732 to the beer quality management device 71 as sensor information relating to the store where the beer server B1 is installed (S909). . The CPU 731 repeats the processes of steps S901 to S909 (S911).

2. Operation of the beer quality management device 71 The beer quality management device 71 is a supply pipe state determination process performed every time sensor information is acquired from the sensor information acquisition management device 73, a barrel replacement state determination process performed at a predetermined time, and a water washing state. Determination processing, sponge cleaning status determination processing, and quality management status display processing performed when the user of the quality control device 71 confirms the management status of beer quality in each store are executed.

(0) Basic Concept of Operation The basic concept of each process executed by the beer quality management device 71 will be described with reference to FIG. The graph which shows the change of the general sensor value obtained from beer detection sensor D1 is shown to FIG. 14a. In FIG. 14a, the vertical axis represents the attenuation of the sensor value obtained in the beer detection sensor D1, and the horizontal axis represents time. The attenuation amount means the difference between the amount of infrared light irradiated by the light projecting element D3 and the amount of infrared light received by the light receiving element D4. That is, if the amount of light received by the light receiving element D4 is small, the attenuation amount is large.

  The graph shown in FIG. 14a is obtained by the applicant's experiments, data collection and analysis. As a result, it became clear that the sensor value obtained from the beer detection sensor D1 changes depending on the internal state of the beer pipe 6.

  (A) In a liquid passing state in which beer is flowing inside the beer conduit 6, the amount of light irradiated from the light projecting element D3 can be received by the light receiving element D4 as it is.

  (B) In the air-liquid state in which nothing flows inside the beer pipeline 6, only a part of the amount of light emitted from the light projecting element D3 can be received by the light receiving element D4.

  (C) In the bubble passing state in which bubbles are flowing inside the beer pipeline 6, the amount of light that can be received by the light receiving element D4 varies greatly.

  By taking into account the internal state of the beer pipe 6 and the internal state of the beer pipe 6 before and after the reception time of the sensor value, the following can be determined.

  (B1) When an air-liquid state for a predetermined time or more occurs during business hours, it can be determined that the beer barrel has been replaced. Usually, the beer pipe line 6 is in an air-liquid state for a predetermined time or more within business hours only when the beer barrel is replaced.

  (B2) When an air-liquid state for a predetermined time or more occurs outside the business hours, it can be determined that water cleaning or sponge cleaning is being performed. Normally, the reason that the beer pipe line 6 is in an air-liquid state for a predetermined time or more outside the business hours is only when some cleaning is being performed on the beer server.

  (C1) It can be determined that the beer barrel has been replaced when the foaming state occurs after the air-liquid state within the business hours. This is because bubbles are usually generated immediately after replacing the beer barrel, and the generated bubbles flow through the beer pipeline 6.

  (C2) When a foamed state occurs in the liquid passing state during business hours, it can be determined that the pressure (gas pressure) of the carbon dioxide gas cylinder for supplying the beer barrel or beer is insufficient. This is because normally, when the gas pressure is insufficient, bubbles are generated inside the beer flowing through the beer pipe 6.

  (C3) If the foaming state occurs after the air-liquid state outside the business hours, it can be determined that the beer barrel has been connected again after water washing or sponge washing. This is because the beer supply is usually prepared after washing.

  Furthermore, it is possible to determine whether or not sponge cleaning has been performed by observing the change over time of the attenuation in the beer detection sensor D1 at the end of cleaning. In general, if the beer server B1 is continuously used without cleaning the sponge, dirt is attached to the inside of the beer pipeline 6. For this reason, the amount of light that can be received by the light receiving element D4 decreases. On the other hand, when the beer conduit 6 is cleaned with a sponge, the inside of the beer conduit 6 is cleaned, so that the amount of light received by the light receiving element D4 increases.

  The collection of these data and the correlation between the collected data and the actual phenomenon are based on the original knowledge of the applicant.

  Below, operation | movement of the beer quality management apparatus 71 which practices this basic concept is demonstrated in detail.

(1) Pipeline state determination process The pipeline state process of the beer quality management device 71 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When receiving the beer state information (S1001), the CPU 711 of the beer quality management device 71 describes the supply pipeline state management DB for each store according to the store ID (S1003). The CPU 711 describes a value obtained by subtracting the sensor value of the beer detection sensor D1 acquired in step S1001 from the predetermined initial sensor value of the beer detection sensor D1 in the attenuation amount description area of the supply pipeline state management DB. To do.

  The CPU 711 acquires a predetermined number of past records based on the reception time of the described record (S1005). In this embodiment, the past records for 32 records are acquired. The CPU 711 determines the state of the beer pipeline 6 at the reception time of the record described in step S1003 based on the sensor value change of the record described in step S1003 and the record acquired in step S1005 (hereinafter referred to as a determination target record). The supply pipeline state) is determined (S1007).

  For example, when the value of the beer detection sensor information is constant below a predetermined value in the change over time in the target record, the beer pipeline 6 is filled with beer during the reception time of the record described in step S1003. It is determined that the “liquid passing state” is present. Similarly, when the value of the beer detection sensor information is constant at a predetermined value or more in the change over time in the target record, the beer pipeline 6 is empty at the reception time of the record described in step S1003. It is determined that the state is “air-liquid state”.

  Furthermore, when the value of the beer detection sensor information changes greatly in the change over time in the target record, bubbles are generated in the beer during that time, and the beer containing the bubbles flows through the beer pipeline 6. Judged to be in a “foaming state”.

  The CPU 711 describes the determined supply line state in the supply line state management DB (S1009).

(2) Barrel exchange status determination processing The barrel replacement status determination processing of the beer quality management device 71 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 711 of the beer quality management device 71 acquires store information corresponding to the store ID from the store DB when the predetermined time comes (S1601) (S1603). The CPU 711 acquires the business hours described in the business time description area from the acquired store information (S1605). The CPU 711 converts a record in which the reception time belongs to business hours (hereinafter referred to as a business time record) from the records that have been received since the previous barrel exchange status determination process was performed, to the supply pipe of the store. Obtained from the road state management DB (S1607).

  Next, the CPU 711 determines whether or not an air-liquid state for a predetermined time or longer exists in the business hours record (S1609). If the CPU 711 determines that there is an air-liquid state for a predetermined time or longer, it determines that the beer barrel has been replaced (S1611). The CPU 711 calculates the number of times n the air-liquid state has occurred, and describes “n” in the beer barrel replacement description area of the store quality management status DB of the store (S1613).

  CPU711 performs the process of step S1603-S1613 about all the stores. If it is determined in step S1609 that there is no air-liquid state for a predetermined time or longer, it is determined that beer barrel replacement has not been performed, and step S1615 is executed.

  In the present embodiment, 0:00 am is set as the predetermined time in step S1601. Thereby, the number of beer barrels exchanged during the business hours of the previous day can be calculated.

  In this embodiment, 5 minutes is set as the predetermined time in step S1609. This is because the beer pipeline 6 must be in an air-liquid state whenever the beer barrel is changed. Moreover, it is because 5 minutes are normally required for replacement | exchange of a beer barrel.

(3) Water Washing Status Judgment Processing The water washing status judgment processing of the beer quality management device 71 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 16a. The CPU 711 of the beer quality management device 71 acquires store information corresponding to the store ID from the store DB when the predetermined time comes (S1621) (S1623). The CPU 711 acquires the business hours described in the business time description area from the acquired store information (S1625). The CPU 711 sets a record in which the reception time belongs to other than business hours (hereinafter referred to as a non-business hours record) from the records that have been received since the previous barrel exchange status determination process was performed. Obtained from the supply line state management DB (S1627).

  Next, the CPU 711 determines whether or not an air-liquid state for a predetermined time or longer exists in the non-business hours record (S1629). If the CPU 711 determines that there is an air-liquid state for a predetermined time or longer, the CPU 711 determines that the beer server B1 is being washed with water (S1631). If it is determined that water cleaning is being performed, “◯” is described in the water cleaning description area of the store quality control status DB of the store (S1633).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1629 that there is no air-liquid state for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that water washing has not been performed (S1635). When the CPU 711 determines that the water cleaning is not performed, the CPU 711 describes “x” in the water cleaning description area of the store quality management status DB of the store (S1637).

  In this embodiment, 0:00 am is set as the predetermined time in step S1621. Thereby, it can be judged whether water washing was performed outside the business hours of the previous day.

  In the present embodiment, 30 minutes is set as the predetermined time in step S1629. This is because the beer pipeline 6 must be in an air-liquid state while the beer server B1 is being washed with water. Moreover, when it is going to perform appropriate water washing | cleaning, it is because the time required for water washing | cleaning is normally required for 30 minutes. Since the water cleaning is performed outside the normal business hours, it can be determined whether or not the water cleaning has been performed based on whether or not an air-liquid state occurs outside the business hours.

(4) Sponge cleaning status determination processing The sponge cleaning status determination processing of the beer quality management device 71 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 711 of the beer quality management device 71 acquires a sensor value (hereinafter referred to as a target sensor value) at a predetermined reference time (for example, 8:00 pm) when a predetermined sponge cleaning status determination time comes (S1641). (S1643). The CPU 711 goes back a predetermined number of days and acquires the target sensor value at the reference time (S1645).

  The CPU 711 determines the status of sponge cleaning based on the acquired target sensor value (S1649). For example, when the target sensor value has a decreasing tendency, it is determined that sponge cleaning is not performed. In addition, when water washing and sponge washing are not performed outside business hours, the target sensor value does not exist for that day. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the acquired target sensor value is in a decreasing tendency as a whole.

  Also, if the target sensor value in the past has a tendency to decrease except the target sensor value of this time, and the target sensor value of this time is larger than the target sensor value of yesterday, it is determined that sponge cleaning has been performed this time. To do. It is thought that the transparency of the supply pipe line increased due to the sponge cleaning, and the amount of light received by the beer detection sensor D1 increased.

  Furthermore, it is determined that sponge cleaning has been performed this time even when there is no variation in size between the acquired target sensor values. In this case, it can be determined that sponge cleaning is performed every day.

  If the CPU 711 determines that sponge cleaning has not been performed (S1651), it describes “x” in the sponge cleaning description area of the store quality management status DB (S1653). On the other hand, when the CPU 711 determines that sponge cleaning is being performed (S1655), it describes “O” in the sponge cleaning description area of the store quality management status DB (S1657).

  The CPU 711 executes the processing of steps S1641 to S1657 for all stores (S1659).

(5) Gas Pressure Status Judgment Process The gas pressure status judgment process of the beer quality management device 71 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 16c. The CPU 711 of the beer quality management device 71 acquires store information corresponding to the store ID from the store DB when the predetermined time comes (S1661) (S1663). The CPU 711 acquires the business hours described in the business hours description area from the acquired store information (S1665). The CPU 711 acquires a business hours record from the supply pipeline state management DB of the store from the records belonging to the reception time since the previous barrel exchange situation determination process was performed (S1667).

  Next, the CPU 711 determines whether or not there is a predetermined number of bubble passing states in the business hours record (S1669). If the CPU 711 determines that there is a bubble passing state a predetermined number of times or more, it determines that the gas pressure is inappropriate (S1671). As a case where the gas pressure is inappropriate, there are a case where the gas pressure is insufficient and a case where the gas pressure is excessive. If it is determined that the gas pressure is inappropriate, “x” is described in the gas pressure description area of the store quality control status DB of the store (S1673).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1629 that there is no bubble passage more than a predetermined number of times, it is determined that the gas pressure is appropriate (S1675). When the CPU 711 determines that the gas pressure is appropriate, the CPU 711 describes “◯” in the gas pressure description area of the store quality management status DB of the store (S1677).

  In this embodiment, 0:00 am is set as the predetermined time in step S1621. Thereby, it can be judged whether the gas pressure of the business hours of the previous day was appropriate.

(6) Quality control status display processing The quality control status display processing of the beer quality control device 71 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the CPU 711 of the beer quality management device 71 is turned on (S1301), the CPU 711 displays the online quality management menu screen shown in FIG. 18 (S1303). In the online quality management menu, an individual store quality inquiry button B1401 and a quality status list button B1403 are displayed. When the user wants to know the quality control status for each individual store, the user selects the individual store quality inquiry button B1401. In addition, when the user wants to know the quality status for all the stores, the user selects the quality status list button B1403.

  Returning to FIG. 17, if the CPU 711 determines that the individual store quality inquiry button B1401 has been selected (S1305), it displays the store search screen shown in FIG. 19 (S1307). The user describes a store name to be searched in the search store name description area A1501, and selects a search button B1503.

  Returning to FIG. 17, when the CPU 711 determines that the search button has been selected (S1309), the CPU 711 acquires the value described in the search store name description area A1501 as the search store (S1311). The CPU 711 searches the store name description area of the store DB based on the acquired search area, and acquires the corresponding store ID (S1313). Then, the CPU 711 acquires a record corresponding to the acquired store ID from the supply pipeline state management DB and / or the store quality management DB.

  Based on the acquired record, the CPU 711 displays the individual store quality introduction screen shown in FIG. 20 (S1309).

  The individual store quality introduction screen has a quality chart display area A201, a cleaning execution calendar display area A203, a gas pressure management status display area A205, a barrel replacement status display area A207, and a barrel temperature display area A209. In the quality chart display area A201, the value of the beer detection sensor information is displayed over time.

  In the cleaning execution calendar display area A203, calendars of the current month and the previous month are displayed. In the displayed calendar, the date when the water cleaning is performed and the date when the sponge cleaning is performed are displayed prominently. In FIG. 20, the area where the date of water cleaning is displayed is indicated by hatching, and the date of sponge cleaning is indicated by being circled. The date when the recommendation letter is executed and the date when the sponge cleaning is executed can be determined from the store quality control status DB.

  By displaying a list of quality control status for each store in this way, it is possible to easily grasp how beer is managed and provided to customers in each store. Until now, the management of beer to be provided has been left to each store. However, the applicant's survey revealed that the quality and taste of beer offered to customers vary greatly depending on the management status at each store. Normally, each store does not know professional knowledge about how to control beer and how to practice it. Therefore, it is indispensable to grasp the management status of beer in each store in an integrated manner in order to provide improvement points and provide guidance for improvement in a rational and effective manner.

  In the gas pressure management status display area A205, the current gas pressure status two days before the previous day is described. The “current” gas pressure management status is the latest gas pressure description area value described in the store quality management status DB in the target store. Further, the gas pressure management status on the “previous day” is the value of the current gas pressure description area, and the gas pressure management status on “2 days ago” is the value of the current gas pressure description area two days ago.

  In the barrel exchange status display area A207, the number of beer barrels exchanged for three days, one week, and one month is described. The number of beer barrels exchanged for “3 days” is the value obtained by adding the values in the barrel exchange description area described in the store quality management status DB in the target store to those from the latest three days ago. It is said. The same applies to the number of beer barrels exchanged in “1 week” and “1 month”.

  In the barrel temperature display area A209, the current temperature of the beer barrel is displayed. The current temperature of the beer barrel is the latest barrel temperature described in the beer barrel temperature management DB in the target store.

  Returning to FIG. 17, if the CPU 711 determines that the quality status list button B1403 has been selected (S1311), it displays the area search screen shown in FIG. 21 (S1313). The area search screen has an area input area A1701 and a search button B1701. The user describes the area in which the quality status is to be displayed in the area input area A1701, and selects the search button B1701.

  Returning to FIG. 17, when the CPU 711 determines that the search button B1701 has been selected (S1315), the CPU 711 acquires the value described in the area input area A1701 as the search area (S1317). The CPU 711 searches the address description area of the store DB based on the acquired search area, and acquires the corresponding store ID (S1319). Then, the CPU 711 acquires a record corresponding to the acquired store ID from the store quality management DB.

  The CPU 711 displays the quality status list screen shown in FIG. 22 based on the acquired record (S1321). The quality status list screen has a store name description area A221, a cleaning status description area A223, a barrel temperature description area A225, and a gas pressure status description area A227. In the store name description area A221, the store name extracted by the search is described. In the cleaning status description area A223, the implementation status of water cleaning and sponge cleaning in each store within a predetermined period is described. “○” is described if water cleaning and sponge cleaning are performed, and “X” is described if not.

  In the barrel temperature description area A225, the current temperature of the beer barrel is displayed. The current temperature of the beer barrel is the latest barrel temperature described in the beer barrel temperature management DB in the target store. If the barrel temperature is within a predetermined appropriate temperature range, “◯” is described; otherwise, the current barrel temperature is described.

  In the gas pressure state description area A227, the current gas pressure state is described. The “current” gas pressure management status is the latest gas pressure description area value described in the store quality management status DB in the target store.

  Thus, by displaying a list of quality control statuses at a plurality of stores, it is possible to grasp stores that are not suitable for providing strictly quality controlled beer. In addition, by grasping the management status in multiple stores at the same time, it becomes possible to extract common problems in stores where problems have occurred, and it is possible to strengthen guidance for each store in the future. .

3. Operation of Temperature Display Panel 75 The operation of the temperature display panel 75 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When acquiring the temperature sensor information (S2001), the CPU 755a of the display control circuit 755 of the temperature display panel 75 displays the value of the temperature sensor information on the liquid crystal panel 753 (S2003). The CPU 755a repeats the processes in steps S2001 and S2003 until the end.

  In this way, the incentive of the customer can be realized by displaying the temperature of the cooling water of the beer server B1, and thus the temperature of the beer so as to be visible to the customer. Further, it is possible to indicate to the customer that the temperature of the beer is appropriately managed, and it is possible to obtain the trust of the store as a store where the quality of beer can be controlled.

[Other Examples]
(1) Sensor information acquisition management device 73: In the above-described first embodiment, in the sensor information acquisition management device 73, the control circuit D13 and the beer detection sensor D1 are integrated, but the information of each sensor can be acquired and managed. If it is a thing, it will not be limited to the thing of an illustration. For example, the control circuit D15 may be a device different from the beer detection sensor D1, for example, a side box installed near the beer server B1. Thereby, since the size of the side box can be determined freely, the circuit arrangement and the like of the control circuit D13 can be designed relatively freely. Further, by incorporating a storage device such as a hard disk drive, a large amount of data can be stored and held.

  Further, the sensor information acquisition management device 73 may be provided with another function. For example, in the case of the above-mentioned side box, a side box may be connected to the middle of the beer pipeline 6, and a valve for opening and closing the beer pipeline 6 may be provided in the side box so that the control can be controlled by the control circuit D13. . In this way, by controlling the opening and closing of the beer pipe line 6, it is possible to grasp each time when the beer barrel is replaced or when various washings are performed. This is because it is always necessary to close the beer pipe line 6 at the time of replacing the beer barrel or performing various washings.

  (2) Operation of the sensor information acquisition management device 73: In the above-described first embodiment, the sensor information acquisition management device 73 performs the supply pipeline state determination process, the barrel replacement state determination process, the water cleaning state determination process, and the sponge cleaning state. Although the determination process and the quality management status display process are executed, any one process or a plurality of selected processes may be performed.

  (3) Time when the sensor information acquisition management device 73 executes each process: In the above-described first embodiment, the barrel replacement situation determination process, the gas pressure situation judgment process, the water washing situation judgment process, and the sponge washing situation judgment process Is executed at midnight, but is not limited to the example. For example, an appropriate time may be set for each store. Also, the processes may not be performed simultaneously.

  (4) Flowchart of the sensor information acquisition management device 73: In the above-described first embodiment, the sensor information acquisition management device 73 executes each process according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The object is not limited to the examples as long as the object can be achieved. The same applies to the data structure of each database.

  (5) Temperature display panel 75: In the first embodiment described above, the temperature display panel 75 has a liquid crystal panel 753 in part and displays temperature information on the liquid crystal panel 753, but displays temperature information. If it is, it will not be limited to an illustration. For example, the image display area 751 for displaying the poster image may not be provided, and the entire area may be configured by the liquid crystal panel 753. In this case, the poster image displayed in the image display area 751 in the temperature display panel 75 in the first embodiment is stored as digital data in the memory 755b, and the temperature information is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 753 together. That's fine.

  (6) Hardware configuration of beer quality management apparatus 71: In the first embodiment, the beer quality management apparatus 71 acquires a predetermined program recorded in the optical medium 710 using the optical drive 717. However, the present invention is not limited to the examples as long as a predetermined program can be acquired. For example, various programs may be downloaded via a network. Moreover, although the beer quality management apparatus 71 has HDD713 and memorize | stores various programs, it may have a large capacity memory, what is called a silicon disk, and may memorize | store various programs. Furthermore, although the beer quality management device 71 has the keyboard 714 and the mouse 715 as input means, other input devices and various pointers may be used.

  (7) Sponge cleaning status determination processing: In the above-described first embodiment, in the sponge cleaning status determination processing of the beer quality management device 71, it is further determined whether the target store is open or closed. The sponge cleaning status may be determined. In this case, the CPU 711 of the beer quality management device 71 executes the sponge cleaning status determination process based on, for example, the flowchart shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the step similar to Example 1. FIG.

  The CPU 711 of the beer quality management device 71 acquires store information corresponding to the store ID from the store DB when the predetermined sponge cleaning status determination time comes (S1641), and is described in the business hours description area from the acquired store information. Current business hours are acquired (S2401). The CPU 711 acquires from the supply pipeline state management DB of the store the non-business hours record whose reception time is from the previous sponge cleaning status determination time to the current sponge cleaning status determination time. Among them, a sensor value (hereinafter referred to as a target sensor value) at the latest time among the times determined to be in the air-liquid state is acquired (S2403). The CPU 711 acquires the target sensor value for each date by going back a predetermined number of days (S2405). The CPU 711 executes the processing after step S1649 (see FIG. 16b) as in the first embodiment.

  (8) Storage liquid temperature detection means: In Example 1 described above, as a storage liquid temperature detection means, a temperature sensor is provided in the beer barrel 3, and the temperature of the beer stored in the beer barrel 3 is stored. You may make it acquire as stored beer temperature information as liquid temperature information. In this case, the CPU 731 of the sensor information acquisition management device 73 acquires the stored beer temperature information at a predetermined time, like the beer detection sensor information acquired from the beer detection sensor D1, and describes it in the sensor information DB. After being stored in 732, it is transmitted to the beer quality management device 71 as sensor information relating to the store where the beer server B1 is installed (see FIG. 14).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 25, when the CPU 711 of the beer quality management device 71 reaches a predetermined time (S2501), it acquires stored beer temperature information at a predetermined time (S2503). For example, the stored beer temperature between 7:50 pm and 8:00 pm is acquired. The CPU 711 calculates an average value of the acquired stored beer temperature (S2505), and determines whether the calculated average stored beer temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (S2507).

  The CPU 711 determines the status of the installation environment of the beer barrel 3 based on the acquired target sensor value (S2509). For example, when the average value of the stored beer temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is determined that the installation environment of the beer barrel 3 is inappropriate. For example, since the beer barrel 3 is installed in a place where the quality of the beer is deteriorated, for example, a place where it receives direct sunlight or a place where the exhaust of the refrigeration equipment is exposed, the stored beer temperature becomes high. The case is considered. If such an installation environment is inappropriate, the installation environment can be appropriately improved by changing the installation position. In addition, even if the barrel installation position cannot be changed due to store space reasons, etc., the installation environment can be changed by changing the installation environment without changing the installation position, such as by sunshade or exhaust venting. It is possible to improve appropriately.

  Moreover, when the average value of stored beer temperature is smaller than a predetermined value, it is determined that the installation environment of the beer barrel 3 is appropriate.

  If the CPU 711 determines that the beer barrel installation position is inappropriate (S2509), it describes “x” in the beer barrel installation environment description area provided in the store quality management status DB (see FIG. 13) (S2511). On the other hand, when the CPU 711 determines that the beer barrel installation position is appropriate (S2513), it describes “O” in the beer barrel installation environment description area of the store quality management status DB (S2515).

  CPU711 performs the process of step S2503-S2515 about all the stores (S2517).

  In determining whether or not the beer in the beer barrel 3 is in an appropriate state, for example, an average stored beer temperature per day is calculated, and the calculated average stored beer temperature may be used. Good. Moreover, you may make it use the stored beer temperature in predetermined time, such as immediately after business start time.

  Moreover, you may make it display the installation state of the determined beer barrel 3 on the quality introduction screen classified by individual store shown in FIG. 20, and the quality status list screen shown in FIG.

(9) Flow path opening / closing means: In the first embodiment, the flow path opening / closing means for opening and closing the flow path in the beer pipeline 6 may be arranged at any position of the beer pipeline 6. . For example, a solenoid valve may be disposed in a so-called dispenser head installed in the beer barrel 3 and connected to the CPU 731 of the sensor information acquisition management device 73.
As the channel opening / closing means, an electromagnetic valve, a kink tube or other known channel opening / closing means may be used.

Further, when controlling the opening / closing of the flow path in the flow path opening / closing means, the CPU 731 of the sensor information acquisition management device 73 acquires the beer detection sensor information from the beer detection sensor D1 (see FIG. 14: S903), a predetermined number of past Beer detection sensor information is obtained, and the state (supply line state) of the beer pipeline 6 at that time is determined in real time (see FIG. 15: S1005 and S1007). The beer detection sensor information is stored and held in the sensor information acquisition management device 73.
Thereby, the beer barrel 3 can be exchanged smoothly.

  (10) Realization of functions in the beer quality management system 51: In the first embodiment, the sensor information acquisition management device 73 acquires sensor values from various sensors installed in the beer server B1, and the beer quality management device 71 Although various determinations regarding the beer server B1 are made, the configuration is not limited to the illustrated example as long as the functions of the sensor information acquisition management device 73 and the beer quality management device 71 are realized. For example, the beer server B1 may have the function of the sensor information acquisition management device 73. Further, the beer server B1 may have the functions of the sensor information acquisition management device 73 and the beer quality management device 71. In this case, for example, the beer quality management device 71 may have a function of quality management status display processing, and may perform centralized management of various types of information.

  (11) Power supply circuit 755d: In the first embodiment, the power supply circuit 755d has a battery. However, the power supply circuit 755d is not limited to the illustrated example as long as it can supply power to the CPU 755a and the communication circuit 755c. For example, you may make it receive the electric power supply from the outside.

  (12) Store DB: In the first embodiment, the store DB has a store ID description area, a store name description area, an address description area, a contact description area, and a business hours description area. Any data necessary for store management is not limited to the example. For example, a description area describing a chain store, a group store, or the like can be added. In addition, when there are a plurality of beer servers in one store, management for each beer server can be performed by adding data specifying each beer server in the store, such as adding a branch number to the store ID.

(13) Temperature displayed on the temperature display panel 75: In the first embodiment, the temperature display panel 75 displays the temperature of the cooling water. However, the temperature of the beer when pouring from the beer server 1 to a beer mug or the like is displayed. The temperature may be displayed. In this case, for example, the temperature of beer when supplying beer to the outside can be detected by providing a temperature sensor between the cooling coil 17 of the cooling water tank 12 and the dispensing valve 21 of the beverage dispensing mechanism 20. it can.

The liquid quality control apparatus according to the present invention can be used, for example, in a beer providing system that provides beer using a beer server.

51... Beer quality management system 71... Beer quality management device 73... Sensor information acquisition management device

Claims (12)

A liquid quality management system that manages the quality of the liquid in a liquid supply device that supplies the liquid stored in the liquid storage member via a supply line,
Detection information acquisition means for acquiring detection information from detection means for detecting an internal state by irradiating the supply pipe with light from the outside and detecting light transmitted through the supply pipe across the supply pipe,
It is determined whether the internal state of the supply pipe line has a state in which an empty liquid state in which nothing flows through the supply pipe line continues for a predetermined time or longer due to a change in the detection information with time. Supply line internal state determination means
If the internal state of the supply pipe does not have a state in which the air-liquid state has continued beyond a predetermined time during the fallow time of the liquid providing device, the first cleaning state of the supply pipe is not changed. First cleaning state determining means for determining cleaning;
Having liquid quality control system. In the liquid quality control system according to claim 1,
The liquid is
Beer,
The first cleaning state determination means includes
Determining the first cleaning state as uncleaned in a state in which water cleaning of the supply pipe of the liquid providing device is not performed;
Liquid quality control system characterized by In the liquid quality control system according to claim 1 or 2,
When the value of the detection information when the supply pipe is in the air-liquid state tends to decrease, or when the supply pipe is in a liquid-flowing state where liquid flows through the supply pipe A second cleaning state determination means for determining that the second cleaning state of the supply pipe line is not cleaned when the value of the detection information tends to decrease;
Having liquid quality control system. In the liquid quality control system according to claim 3,
The liquid is
Beer,
The second cleaning state determination means includes
Determining the second cleaning state as uncleaned in a state where sponge cleaning of the supply pipe of the liquid providing device is not performed;
Liquid quality control system characterized by In any one of the liquid quality control systems which concerns on Claims 1-4, Furthermore,
In the operation time of the liquid providing apparatus, when the internal state of the supply pipe has a state where the air-liquid state continues for a predetermined time, it is determined that the liquid storage member has been replaced. Liquid storage member replacement determination means,
Having liquid quality control system. In any one of the liquid quality control systems which concerns on Claims 1-5, Furthermore,
The supply pipe internal state determination means further includes:
It is determined whether or not the internal state of the supply pipe line has a state in which a bubble passage state in which bubbles are flowing in the supply pipe line has continued for a predetermined time based on a change in the detection information with time. And
The liquid quality control system further includes:
In the operation time of the liquid providing apparatus, when the internal state of the supply pipe has a state in which the bubble passing state continues for a predetermined time, the gas pressure when supplying the liquid is inadequate. Means for determining the liquid supply pressure to determine appropriate
Liquid quality control system characterized by In any one of the liquid quality control systems concerning Claims 1-6,
Determining the operation time or the fallow time using an operation time table in which the operation time of the liquid quality control device is described or a fallow time table in which the fallow time of the liquid quality control device is described;
Liquid quality control system characterized by In any one of the liquid quality control systems which concerns on Claims 1-7, Furthermore,
The stored liquid temperature information from the stored liquid temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the liquid stored in the liquid storage member or the temperature of the liquid before the liquid stored in the liquid storage member is cooled. Storage liquid temperature information acquisition means for acquiring,
A liquid storage member installation position determining means for determining that the installation position of the liquid storage member is inappropriate when the temperature of the liquid in the stored liquid temperature information is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time or more;
Having liquid quality control system. In any one of the liquid quality control systems which concerns on Claims 1-8, Furthermore,
When the internal state of the supply pipeline is a state in which the air-liquid state continues for a predetermined time, a flow for opening and closing a flow path for supplying the liquid from the liquid storage member to the liquid supply device Flow path control means for closing the path opening and closing means,
Having liquid quality control system. In any one of the liquid quality control systems concerning Claims 1-9,
Cooling water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the cooling water used by the liquid supply device as cooling water temperature information;
Display control means for displaying the cooling water temperature on a predetermined display means;
Having liquid quality control system. In any one of the liquid quality control systems concerning Claims 1-10,
Provided liquid temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the liquid when the liquid supply device provides to the outside as provided liquid temperature information;
Display control means for displaying the provided liquid temperature on a predetermined display means;
Having liquid quality control system. In the liquid quality management method for managing the quality of the liquid in the liquid supply apparatus that supplies the liquid stored in the liquid storage member via the supply pipe using a computer,
The computer irradiates the supply pipe with light from outside, and obtains detection information from detection means for detecting an internal state by detecting light transmitted through the supply pipe across the supply pipe,
Whether the computer has an internal state of the supply pipe line in which an empty liquid state in which nothing flows through the supply pipe line has exceeded a predetermined time due to a change in the detection information with time Determine whether or not
When the computer does not have a state in which the air-liquid state continues beyond a predetermined time during the fallow time of the liquid supply device, the first state of the supply line Judging the cleaning state as uncleaned,
Liquid quality control method characterized by