JP7156700B2 - BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING DEVICE AND DISPLAY METHOD - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a beverage manufacturing apparatus and a display method for manufacturing a beverage by extracting a beverage from an object to be extracted.

Known methods for extracting coffee liquid include an immersion method in which ground beans are immersed in hot water (for example, Patent Document 1) and a permeation method in which hot water passes through ground beans (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-05-081544 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-024703

In the beverage production apparatus according to either of the methods of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, additional services are required during the production of coffee beverages.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for providing additional services during the production of coffee beverages.

A beverage manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention includes manufacturing means for manufacturing a beverage, receiving means for receiving a selection from a user of an image to be displayed during manufacturing of the beverage by the manufacturing means, and displaying an image selected by the receiving means. and display control means for causing the device to display, and the images for which selection can be received by the receiving means include a first image composed of a plurality of images and a second image composed of one image. When the selection of the first image is received by the reception means, the display control means switches the first image in accordance with the progress of the manufacturing process of the beverage and causes the display device to display the switching display. and when the selection of the second image is received by the receiving means, the second image is continuously displayed on the display device even if the manufacturing process of the beverage proceeds. wherein the display control means receives the selection by the receiving means while the beverage is being manufactured by the manufacturing means, whereby the switching display of the first image and the continuous display of the second image are performed. and can be switched between.

A display method according to the present invention is a display method executed in a beverage manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a manufacturing process of manufacturing a beverage; and a receiving process of receiving from a user a selection of an image to be displayed during manufacturing of the beverage in the manufacturing process. and a display control step of causing a display device to display the image for which selection has been accepted in the accepting step, wherein the images for which selection can be accepted in the accepting step include a first image composed of a plurality of images; and a second image consisting of one image, and in the display control step, when the selection of the first image is accepted in the acceptance step, the first image is displayed according to the progress of the beverage manufacturing process. When the selection of the second image is received in the receiving step, the display of the second image is performed even if the manufacturing process of the beverage progresses. Continuous display is performed by causing the device to continuously display, and in the display control step, the selection of the first image is performed by accepting the selection in the reception step during the production of the beverage in the production step. The switching display and the continuous display of the second image can be switched .

According to the invention, additional services can be provided during the production of coffee beverages.

The external view of a beverage manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the beverage manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1; Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the function of the beverage production apparatus. FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view of the separation device; 3 is a perspective view of the drive unit and extraction container; FIG. 6 shows the closed and open states of the brewing container of FIG. 5; FIG. The front view which shows the structure of a part of upper unit and lower unit. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 7; Schematic diagram of the central unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device of the beverage manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1; 4A and 4B are flowcharts showing an example of control executed by a control device; The figure which shows a plot display screen. 6 is a flow chart showing display processing during production of a coffee beverage. 6 is a flow chart showing display processing during production of a coffee beverage. The figure which shows the screen displayed before the start of the manufacturing process of coffee beverages. The figure which shows the screen displayed during manufacture of a coffee drink. The figure which shows the screen displayed during manufacture of a coffee drink. The figure which shows the screen displayed during manufacture of a coffee drink. The figure which shows the screen displayed during manufacture of a coffee drink, and a reception screen of image selection. The figure which shows an example of the table which shows the pattern of an image during manufacture.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. Also, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

<1. Overview of Beverage Production Equipment>
FIG. 1 is an external view of a beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. FIG. The beverage production apparatus 1 of this embodiment is an apparatus for automatically producing a coffee beverage from roasted coffee beans and liquid (here, water), and can produce a cup of coffee beverage per one production operation. . Roasted coffee beans as a raw material can be accommodated in the canister 40 . A cup placing portion 110 is provided in the lower portion of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, and the manufactured coffee beverage is poured into the cup from the pouring portion 10c.

Beverage production apparatus 1 includes a housing 100 that forms its exterior and encloses internal mechanisms. The housing 100 is roughly divided into a main body portion 101 and a cover portion 102 that covers part of the front surface and part of the side surface of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 . An information display device 12 is provided on the cover portion 102 . In the case of this embodiment, the information display device 12 is a touch-panel display, and can display various types of information as well as receive inputs from the administrator of the device and beverage consumers. The information display device 12 is attached to the cover portion 102 via a moving mechanism 12a, and is vertically movable within a certain range by the moving mechanism 12a.

The cover portion 102 is also provided with a bean inlet 103 and a door 103 a for opening and closing the bean inlet 103 . Roasted coffee beans different from the roasted coffee beans stored in the canister 40 can be thrown into the bean inlet 103 by opening the opening/closing door 103 . This makes it possible to provide a special cup to the beverage consumer.

In this embodiment, the cover portion 102 is made of a translucent material such as acrylic or glass, and constitutes a transparent cover whose entirety is a transmissive portion. Therefore, the inner mechanism covered with the cover portion 102 can be visually recognized from the outside. In the case of this embodiment, a portion of the production section that produces coffee beverages is visible through the cover section 102 . In this embodiment, the main body 101 is entirely non-transmissive, making it difficult to see the inside from the outside.

FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, showing a part of the production section visible to the user when the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 is viewed from the front. The cover part 102 and the information display device 12 are illustrated by imaginary lines.

A housing 100 in the front portion of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 has a double structure including a main body portion 101 and a cover portion 102 on the outside (front side) thereof. A part of the mechanism of the manufacturing department is arranged between the main body part 101 and the cover part 102 in the front-rear direction, and can be visually recognized by the user through the cover part 102 .

In the case of this embodiment, part of the mechanisms of the manufacturing department that can be visually recognized by the user through the cover part 102 are the collecting transport part 42, the grinders 5A and 5B, the separation device 6, the extraction container 9, and the like, which will be described later. A rectangular recess 101a recessed inward is formed in the front portion of the main body 101, and the extraction container 9 and the like are positioned in the recess 101a inward.

Since these mechanisms can be visually recognized from the outside through the cover portion 102, it may be easier for the administrator to inspect and confirm the operation. In addition, beverage consumers may be able to enjoy the coffee beverage manufacturing process.

The right end of the cover portion 102 is supported by the main body portion 101 via a hinge 102a so that it can be opened and closed horizontally. An engaging portion 102b is provided at the left end of the cover portion 102 to keep the body portion 101 and the cover portion 102 closed. The engaging portion 102b is, for example, a combination of magnet and iron. By opening the cover section 102, the manager can inspect a part of the above-described manufacturing section inside.

In the case of the present embodiment, the cover portion 102 is of a horizontal opening type, but it may be of a vertical opening type (vertical opening type) or of a sliding type. Also, the cover portion 102 may be configured such that it cannot be opened and closed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the functions of the beverage production apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a bean processing apparatus 2 and an extraction apparatus 3 as a coffee beverage manufacturing unit.

The bean processing device 2 produces ground beans from roasted coffee beans. The extraction device 3 extracts coffee liquid from ground beans supplied from the bean processing device 2 . The extraction device 3 includes a fluid supply unit 7, a drive unit 8, an extraction container 9 and a switching unit 10, which will be described later. Ground beans supplied from the bean processing device 2 are put into the extraction container 9 . The fluid supply unit 7 feeds hot water into the extraction container 9 . Coffee liquid is extracted from the ground beans in the extraction container 9 . Hot water containing the extracted coffee liquid is delivered to the cup C as a coffee beverage via the switching unit 10 .

<2. Fluid Supply Unit and Switching Unit>
The configurations of the fluid supply unit 7 and the switching unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the fluid supply unit 7 will be described. The fluid supply unit 7 supplies hot water to the extraction container 9, controls the pressure inside the extraction container 9, and the like. In this document, when atmospheric pressure is indicated by numbers, it means absolute pressure unless otherwise specified, and gauge pressure is atmospheric pressure with atmospheric pressure being 0 atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure refers to the atmospheric pressure around the extraction vessel 9 or the atmospheric pressure of the beverage production apparatus. It is the standard atmospheric pressure (1013.25 hPa) at 0m above sea level of the International Standard Atmosphere (= ``International Standard Atmosphere'' [[abbreviation] ISA]) established in 1976 by the Aviation Organization [[abbreviation] ICAO]).

The fluid supply unit 7 includes pipes L1 to L3. The pipe L1 is a pipe through which air flows, and the pipe L2 is a pipe through which water flows. The pipe L3 is a pipe through which both air and water can flow.

The fluid supply unit 7 includes a compressor 70 as a source of pressurization. Compressor 70 compresses and delivers atmospheric air. The compressor 70 is driven by, for example, a motor (not shown) as a drive source. Compressed air delivered from the compressor 70 is supplied to a reserve tank (accumulator) 71 via a check valve 71a. The air pressure in the reserve tank 71 is monitored by a pressure sensor 71b, and the compressor 70 is driven so as to maintain a predetermined air pressure (7 atmospheres (6 atmospheres in gauge pressure) in this embodiment). The reserve tank 71 is provided with a drain 71c for draining water so that water generated by the compressed air can be drained.

The water tank 72 stores hot water (water) that constitutes the coffee beverage. The water tank 72 is provided with a heater 72a for heating the water in the water tank 72 and a temperature sensor 72b for measuring the temperature of the water. The heater 72a maintains the temperature of the accumulated hot water at a predetermined temperature (120 degrees Celsius in this embodiment) based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 72b. The heater 72a is turned on, for example, when the hot water temperature is 118 degrees Celsius, and turned off when the temperature is 120 degrees Celsius.

The water tank 72 is also provided with a water level sensor 72c. A water level sensor 72 c detects the water level of hot water in the water tank 72 . Water is supplied to the water tank 72 when the water level sensor 72c detects that the water level has fallen below a predetermined level. In the case of this embodiment, water is supplied via a water purifier (not shown). A solenoid valve 72d is provided in the middle of the pipe L2 from the water purifier. When the water level sensor 72c detects a drop in the water level, the solenoid valve 72d is opened to supply water. The valve 72d is closed to shut off the water supply. Thus, the hot water in the water tank 72 is maintained at a constant water level. The water tank 72 may be supplied with water each time the hot water used for making one coffee beverage is discharged.

The water tank 72 is also provided with a pressure sensor 72g. A pressure sensor 72 g detects the air pressure inside the water tank 72 . Air pressure in the reserve tank 71 is supplied to the water tank 72 via a pressure regulating valve 72e and an electromagnetic valve 72f. The pressure regulating valve 72e reduces the pressure supplied from the reserve tank 71 to a predetermined pressure. In the case of this embodiment, the pressure is reduced to 3 atmospheres (2 atmospheres in gauge pressure). The solenoid valve 72f switches between supplying and blocking the air pressure adjusted by the pressure adjusting valve 72e to the water tank 72 . The solenoid valve 72f is controlled to open and close so that the pressure inside the water tank 72 is maintained at 3 atm except when water is being supplied to the water tank 72 . At the time of supplying water to the water tank 72, the pressure in the water tank 72 is set to a pressure lower than the water pressure of the water (for example, 2.0) by the electromagnetic valve 72h so that the water tank 72 is smoothly replenished with water. Reduce the pressure to less than 5 atm). The solenoid valve 72h switches whether to open the water tank 72 to the atmosphere or not, and when the pressure is reduced, the water tank 72 is opened to the atmosphere. Besides, when the pressure inside the water tank 72 exceeds 3 atm, the solenoid valve 72h releases the inside of the water tank 72 to the atmosphere to maintain the inside of the water tank 72 at 3 atm except when water is supplied to the water tank 72. do.

The hot water in the water tank 72 is supplied to the extraction container 9 via the check valve 72j, the solenoid valve 72i and the pipe L3. Hot water is supplied to the extraction container 9 by opening the solenoid valve 72i, and the supply of hot water is cut off by closing the solenoid valve 72i. The amount of hot water supplied to the extraction container 9 can be controlled by the opening time of the electromagnetic valve 72i. However, the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 72i may be controlled by measuring the supply amount. A temperature sensor 73e for measuring the temperature of the hot water is provided in the pipe L3, and the temperature of the hot water supplied to the extraction container 9 is monitored.

The air pressure in the reserve tank 71 is also supplied to the extraction vessel 9 via a pressure regulating valve 73a and an electromagnetic valve 73b. The pressure regulating valve 73a reduces the pressure supplied from the reserve tank 71 to a predetermined pressure. In the case of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the pressure to 5 atmospheres (4 atmospheres in gauge pressure) or less. The electromagnetic valve 73b switches between supplying and blocking the pressure adjusted by the pressure adjusting valve 73a to the extraction vessel 9. As shown in FIG. The pressure inside the extraction container 9 is detected by a pressure sensor 73d. When the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized, the electromagnetic valve 73b is opened based on the detection result of the pressure sensor 73d, and the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (in this embodiment, a maximum of 5 atmospheres (4 atmospheres in gauge pressure). )). The pressure inside the extraction container 9 can be reduced by the electromagnetic valve 73c. The electromagnetic valve 73c switches whether to release the inside of the extraction container 9 to the atmosphere, and releases the inside of the extraction container 9 to the atmosphere when the pressure is abnormal (for example, when the inside of the extraction container 9 exceeds 5 atmospheres).

After the production of one coffee beverage is finished, in the case of this embodiment, the inside of the extraction container 9 is washed with water. The electromagnetic valve 73f is opened during cleaning to supply water to the extraction vessel 9. As shown in FIG.

Next, the switching unit 10 will be explained. The switching unit 10 is a unit that switches the delivery destination of the liquid delivered from the extraction container 9 to either the pouring section 10c or the waste tank T. FIG. The switching unit 10 includes a switching valve 10a and a motor 10b that drives the switching valve 10a. The switching valve 10a switches the flow path to the pouring portion 10c when the coffee beverage in the extraction container 9 is delivered. The coffee beverage is poured into the cup C from the pouring portion 10c. When discharging the waste liquid (water) and residue (ground beans) during washing, the flow path is switched to the waste tank T. The switching valve 10a is a 3-port ball valve in this embodiment. Since residue passes through the switching valve 10a during cleaning, the switching valve 10a is preferably a ball valve, and the motor 10b rotates its rotary shaft to switch the flow path.

<3. Bean processing equipment>
The bean processing device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. The bean processing device 2 includes a storage device 4 and a crushing device 5 .

<3-1. Storage device>
The storage device 4 includes a plurality of canisters 40 in which roasted coffee beans are stored. In this embodiment, three canisters 40 are provided. The canister 40 includes a cylindrical main body 40a for containing roasted coffee beans and a handle 40b provided on the main body 40a, and is detachably attached to the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.

Each canister 40 may contain different types of roasted coffee beans so that the type of roasted coffee beans used to produce the coffee beverage can be selected by operating the information display device 12 . Different kinds of roasted coffee beans are, for example, roasted coffee beans of different coffee bean varieties. The roasted coffee beans of different types are coffee beans of the same variety, but may be roasted coffee beans of different roasting degrees. Moreover, the roasted coffee beans of different types may be roasted coffee beans of different types and degrees of roasting. Also, at least one of the three canisters 40 may contain roasted coffee beans in which roasted coffee beans of a plurality of varieties are mixed. In this case, the roasted coffee beans of each variety may have the same degree of roasting.

In addition, although a plurality of canisters 40 are provided in the present embodiment, a configuration in which only one canister 40 is provided may be employed. Also, when a plurality of canisters 40 are provided, the same kind of roasted coffee beans may be accommodated in all or a plurality of canisters 40 .

Each canister 40 is detachably attached to a weighing and conveying device 41 . The weighing and conveying device 41 is, for example, an electric screw conveyor, and automatically weighs a predetermined amount of roasted coffee beans contained in the canister 40 and delivers them to the downstream side.

Each measuring and conveying device 41 discharges the roasted coffee beans to a collective conveying section 42 on the downstream side. The collective conveying portion 42 is composed of a hollow member, and forms a conveying passage for the roasted coffee beans from each conveyor 41 to the crushing device 5 (particularly the grinder 5A). The roasted coffee beans discharged from each weighing/conveying device 41 move by their own weight inside the collective conveying unit 42 and flow down to the crushing device 5 .

A guide portion 42 a is formed at a position corresponding to the bean input port 103 in the aggregate transport portion 42 . The guide portion 42a forms a passage for guiding the roasted coffee beans introduced from the bean inlet 103 to the grinding device 5 (particularly the grinder 5A). As a result, coffee beverages made from roasted coffee beans fed from the bean feeding port 103 can be produced in addition to the roasted coffee beans housed in the canister 40. - 特許庁

<3-2. Crushing device>
The crushing device 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4. FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the separating device 6. FIG. The crushing device 5 includes grinders 5A and 5B and a separation device 6. The grinders 5A and 5B are mechanisms for grinding the roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4. FIG. The roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are ground by the grinder 5A, further ground by the grinder 5B into powder, and introduced into the extraction vessel 9 through the discharge pipe 5C.

The grinders 5A and 5B differ in grain size for grinding beans. The grinder 5A is a grinder for coarse grinding, and the grinder 5B is a grinder for fine grinding. Each of the grinders 5A and 5B is an electric grinder, and includes a motor as a driving source and a rotating blade driven by the motor. The size (particle size) of the roasted coffee beans to be pulverized can be changed by changing the rotation speed of the rotary blade.

The separating device 6 is a mechanism for separating unnecessary substances from the ground beans. Separating device 6 includes passage 63a arranged between grinders 5A and 5B. The passage portion 63a is a hollow body forming a separation chamber through which ground beans freely falling from the grinder 5A pass. The passage portion 63a is connected to a passage portion 63b extending in a direction (horizontal direction in this embodiment) that intersects the passing direction of the ground beans (vertical direction in this embodiment). The suction unit 60 is connected to the portion 63b. Light objects such as chaff and fine powder are sucked by the suction unit 60 sucking the air in the passage portion 63a. This allows the unwanted matter to be separated from the ground beans.

The suction unit 60 is a centrifugal mechanism. The suction unit 60 includes an air blowing unit 60A and a collection container 60B. In this embodiment, the blower unit 60A is a fan motor, and exhausts the air in the collection container 60B upward.

Collection container 60B includes an upper portion 61 and a lower portion 62 that are separably engaged. The lower portion 62 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top, forming a space for accumulating unnecessary items. The upper portion 61 constitutes a lid portion that is attached to the opening of the lower portion 62 . The upper portion 61 includes a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 61a and an exhaust pipe 61b formed coaxially therewith. The blower unit 60A is fixed to the upper portion 61 above the exhaust pipe 61b so as to suck the air in the exhaust pipe 61b. A passage portion 63 b is connected to the upper portion 61 . The passage portion 63b opens to the side of the exhaust pipe 61b.

By driving the blower unit 60A, air currents indicated by arrows d1 to d3 in FIG. 4 are generated. Due to this airflow, the air containing unnecessary matter is sucked into the collection container 60B from the passage portion 63a through the passage portion 63b. Since the passage portion 63b is open to the side of the exhaust pipe 61b, the air containing unnecessary substances swirls around the exhaust pipe 61b. The waste D in the air falls by its weight and is collected in a portion of the collection container 60B (deposited on the bottom surface of the lower portion 62). Air is exhausted upward through the inside of the exhaust pipe 61b.

A plurality of fins 61d are integrally formed on the peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe 61b. A plurality of fins 61d are arranged in the circumferential direction of the exhaust pipe 61b. Each fin 61d is obliquely inclined with respect to the axial direction of the exhaust pipe 61b. By providing such fins 61, the swirl of the air containing the unwanted matter D around the exhaust pipe 61b is promoted.

In the case of this embodiment, the lower portion 62 is made of a translucent material such as acrylic or glass, and constitutes a transparent container whose entirety is a transmissive portion. A lower portion 62 is a portion covered with a cover portion 102 (FIG. 2). A manager or a consumer of the beverage can see the unwanted matter D accumulated in the lower portion 62 through the cover portion 102 and the peripheral wall of the lower portion 62 . It may be easier for the administrator to confirm the cleaning timing of the lower portion 62, and for the consumer of the beverage, it is possible to visually confirm that the unnecessary matter D has been removed, which increases expectations for the quality of the coffee beverage being produced. Sometimes.

Thus, in this embodiment, the roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are first coarsely ground by the grinder 5A, and when the coarsely ground beans pass through the passage portion 63a, the separation device 6 separates unwanted substances from them. are separated. The coarsely ground beans from which unnecessary matter has been separated are finely ground by the grinder 5B. The wastes separated by the separation device 6 are typically chaff and fine powder. These can reduce the taste of the coffee beverage, and removing chaff and the like from the ground beans can improve the quality of the coffee beverage.

Grinding of roasted coffee beans may be in one grinder (single stage grinding). However, as in the present embodiment, two-stage grinding by the two grinders 5A and 5B makes it easier for the ground beans to have a uniform particle size, and the extraction degree of the coffee liquid can be made constant. During grinding of beans, heat may be generated due to friction between the cutter and the beans. The two-stage pulverization can suppress heat generation due to friction during pulverization and prevent deterioration of the ground beans (for example, loss of flavor).

In addition, by going through the stages of coarse grinding → separation of unnecessary substances → fine grinding, when separating unnecessary substances such as chaff, it is possible to increase the mass difference between the unnecessary substances and the ground beans (required parts). This can improve the separation efficiency of unnecessary substances, and can prevent ground beans (required portions) from being separated as unnecessary substances. In addition, the heat generation of the ground beans can be suppressed by the air cooling by interposing the unnecessary matter separation processing using air suction between the coarse grinding and the fine grinding.

<4. Drive unit and extraction container>
<4-1. Overview>
The drive unit 8 and extraction container 9 of the extraction device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drive unit 8 and the extraction container 9. FIG. Most of the drive unit 8 is surrounded by the body portion 101 .

The drive unit 8 is supported by the frame F. The frame F includes upper and lower beams F1 and F2 and a column F3 that supports the beams F1 and F2. The drive unit 8 is roughly divided into three units: an upper unit 8A, a middle unit 8B and a lower unit 8C. The upper unit 8A is supported by the beam F1. The middle unit 8B is supported by the beam portion F1 and the pillar portion F3 between the beam portion F1 and the beam portion F2. The lower unit 8C is supported by the beam F2.

The extraction container 9 is a chamber containing a container body 90 and a lid unit 91 . The extraction container 9 may be called a chamber. The central unit 8B includes an arm member 820 that detachably holds the container body 90. As shown in FIG. Arm member 820 includes a holding member 820a and a pair of shaft members 820b spaced apart from each other in the left and right direction. The holding member 820a is an elastic member such as resin formed in a C-shaped clip, and holds the container body 90 by its elastic force. The holding member 820a holds the left and right side portions of the container body 90, leaving the front side of the container body 90 exposed. This makes it easier to visually recognize the inside of the container body 90 when viewed from the front.

The container main body 90 is attached to and detached from the holding member 820a by manual operation, and the container main body 90 is attached to the holding member 820a by pressing the container main body 90 forward and backward against the holding member 820a. Further, the container main body 90 can be separated from the holding member 820a by pulling the container main body 90 forward from the holding member 820a.

Each of the pair of shaft members 820b is a rod extending in the front-rear direction, and is a member that supports the holding member 820a. Although the number of shaft members 820b is two in this embodiment, the number may be one or three or more. The holding member 820a is fixed to the front ends of the pair of shaft members 820b. A pair of shaft members 820b are advanced and retracted in the front-rear direction by a mechanism to be described later, whereby the holding member 820a is advanced and retracted in the front-rear direction, and the container body 90 can be moved in parallel in the front-rear direction. The central unit 8B is also capable of rotating the extraction container 9 upside down, as will be described later.

<4-2. Extraction container>
The extraction container 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the closed state and the open state of the extraction container 9. FIG. As described above, the extraction vessel 9 is turned upside down by the central unit 8B. The extraction container 9 in FIG. 6 shows a basic posture in which the lid unit 91 is positioned on the upper side. In the following description, when the vertical positional relationship is described, it means the vertical positional relationship in the basic posture unless otherwise specified.

The container body 90 is a container with a bottom and has a bottle shape having a neck portion 90b, a shoulder portion 90d, a body portion 90e and a bottom portion 90f. A flange portion 90c defining an opening 90a communicating with the internal space of the container body 90 is formed at the end of the neck portion 90b (upper end of the container body 90).

Both the neck portion 90b and the body portion 90e have a cylindrical shape. The shoulder portion 90d is a portion between the neck portion 90b and the body portion 90e, and has a tapered shape such that the cross-sectional area of the internal space thereof gradually decreases from the body portion 90e side toward the neck portion 90b side. ing.

The lid unit 91 is a unit that opens and closes the opening 90a. The opening/closing operation (lifting operation) of the lid unit 91 is performed by the upper unit 8A.

Container body 90 includes a body member 900 and a bottom member 901 . The main body member 900 is a cylindrical member that is open at the top and bottom and forms a neck portion 90b, a shoulder portion 90d, and a body portion 90e. The bottom member 901 is a member that forms the bottom portion 90f, and is inserted and fixed to the lower portion of the main body member 900. As shown in FIG. A sealing member 902 is interposed between the body member 900 and the bottom member 901 to improve the airtightness inside the container body 90 .

In the case of this embodiment, the main body member 900 is made of a translucent material such as acrylic or glass, and constitutes a transparent container whose entirety is a transmissive portion. A manager or a consumer of the beverage can see the extraction state of the coffee beverage in the container body 90 through the cover portion 102 and the body member 900 of the container body 90 . For the manager, it may be easy to check the extraction operation, and for the consumer of the beverage, it may be possible to enjoy the extraction situation.

A convex portion 901c is provided in the central portion of the bottom member 901, and the convex portion 901c has a communication hole that communicates the inside of the container body 90 with the outside and a valve (valve 903 in FIG. 8) that opens and closes the communication hole. is provided. The communication hole is used for discharging waste liquid and residue when cleaning the inside of the container body 90 . A sealing member 908 is provided on the convex portion 901c, and the sealing member 908 is a member for maintaining airtightness between the upper unit 8A or the lower unit 8C and the bottom member 901. As shown in FIG.

The lid unit 91 includes a hat-shaped base member 911 . The base member 911 has a convex portion 911d and a flange portion 911c that overlaps the flange portion 90c when closed. The convex portion 911d has the same structure as the convex portion 901c of the container body 90, and is provided with a communication hole for communicating the inside of the container body 90 with the outside and a valve (valve 913 in FIG. 8) for opening and closing the communication hole. It is The communication hole of the projection 911d is mainly used for injecting hot water into the container body 90 and sending out the coffee beverage. A sealing member 918a is provided on the convex portion 911d. The sealing member 918a is a member for maintaining airtightness between the upper unit 8A or the lower unit 8C and the base member 911. As shown in FIG. The lid unit 91 is also provided with a sealing member 919 . The sealing member 919 improves the airtightness between the lid unit 91 and the container body 90 when the lid unit 91 is closed. The lid unit 91 holds a filter for filtration.

<4-3. Upper unit and lower unit>
The upper unit 8A and the lower unit 8C will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. FIG. 7 is a front view showing the configuration of part of the upper unit 8A and the lower unit 8C, and FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG.

The upper unit 8A includes an operation unit 81A. The operation unit 81A performs opening/closing operation (lifting/lowering) of the lid unit 91 with respect to the container body 90 and opening/closing operation of the valves of the convex portions 901c and 911d. The operation unit 81A includes a support member 800, a holding member 801, an elevation shaft 802 and a probe 803.

The support member 800 is fixed so as not to change its relative position to the frame F, and accommodates the holding member 801 . The support member 800 also includes a communicating portion 800a that allows the inside of the support member 800 to communicate with the pipe L3. Hot water, cold water, and air pressure supplied from the pipe L3 are introduced into the support member 800 through the communicating portion 800a.

The holding member 801 is a member capable of detachably holding the lid unit 91 . The holding member 801 has a cylindrical space into which the protrusion 911d of the lid unit 91 or the protrusion 901c of the bottom member 901 is inserted, and has a mechanism for detachably holding them. This mechanism is, for example, a snap ring mechanism, which engages with a certain pressing force and disengages with a certain separating force. Hot water, cold water, and atmospheric pressure supplied from the pipe L3 can be supplied into the extraction container 9 via the communicating portion 800a and the communicating hole 801a of the holding member 801. FIG.

The holding member 801 is also a movable member that is vertically slidable within the support member 800 . The elevating shaft 802 is provided so that its axial direction is the vertical direction. The elevating shaft 802 penetrates the top portion of the support member 800 in an air-tight manner in the vertical direction, and is provided so as to be vertically movable with respect to the support member 800 .

A top portion of the holding member 801 is fixed to the lower end portion of the lifting shaft 802 . The holding member 801 slides in the vertical direction by raising and lowering the elevating shaft 802, so that the holding member 801 can be attached to and separated from the projections 911d and 901c. Also, the lid unit 91 can be opened and closed with respect to the container body 90 .

A screw 802a that constitutes a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lifting shaft 802 . A nut 804b is screwed onto the screw 802a. The upper unit 8A has a motor 804a, and the nut 804b is rotated on the spot (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 804a. The elevation shaft 802 is raised and lowered by the rotation of the nut 804b.

The elevating shaft 802 is a tubular shaft having a through hole in its central axis, and the probe 803 is inserted into the through hole so as to be vertically slidable. The probe 803 penetrates the top portion of the holding member 801 in an air-tight manner in the vertical direction, and is vertically movable with respect to the supporting member 800 and the holding member 801 .

The probe 803 is an operator for opening and closing the valves 913 and 903 provided inside the convex portions 911d and 901c. It can be changed from an open state to a closed state (by the action of a return spring, not shown).

A screw 803 a that constitutes a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the probe 803 . A nut 805b is screwed onto the screw 803a. The upper unit 8A has a motor 805a, and the nut 805b is provided so as to rotate on the spot (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 805a. Rotation of the nut 805b moves the probe 803 up and down.

The lower unit 8C includes an operation unit 81C. The operation unit 81C has a configuration in which the operation unit 81A is vertically inverted, and performs opening and closing operations of the valves 913 and 903 provided inside the convex portions 911d and 901c. Although the operation unit 81C is also configured to be able to open and close the lid unit 91, the operation unit 81C is not used for opening and closing the lid unit 91 in this embodiment.

Although the description of the operation unit 81A is substantially the same as the description of the operation unit 81A, the operation unit 81C will be described below. The operation unit 81C includes a support member 810, a holding member 811, an elevation shaft 812 and a probe 813.

The supporting member 810 is fixed so as not to change its relative position to the frame F, and accommodates the holding member 811 . The support member 810 also includes a communicating portion 810a that allows communication between the switching valve 10a of the switching unit 10 and the inside of the support member 810 . The coffee beverage, water, and residue of ground beans in the container main body 90 are introduced into the switching valve 10a through the communicating portion 810a.

The holding member 811 has a cylindrical space into which the projection 911d of the lid unit 91 or the projection 901c of the bottom member 901 is inserted, and has a mechanism for detachably holding them. This mechanism is, for example, a snap ring mechanism, which engages with a certain pressing force and disengages with a certain separating force. The coffee beverage, water, and residue of ground beans in the container body 90 are introduced into the switching valve 10a through the communicating portion 810a and the communicating hole 811a of the holding member 811. As shown in FIG.

The holding member 811 is also a movable member that is vertically slidable within the support member 810 . The elevating shaft 812 is provided so that its axial direction is the vertical direction. The elevating shaft 812 penetrates the bottom of the support member 800 in an air-tight manner in the vertical direction, and is provided to be vertically movable with respect to the support member 810 .

A bottom portion of a holding member 811 is fixed to the lower end portion of the lifting shaft 812 . The holding member 811 slides in the vertical direction by raising and lowering the elevating shaft 812, and the holding member 811 can be attached to and separated from the projections 901c and 911d.

A screw 812 a that constitutes a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lifting shaft 812 . A nut 814b is screwed onto the screw 812a. The lower unit 8C has a motor 814a, and the nut 814b is rotated on the spot (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 814a. The elevation shaft 812 is raised and lowered by the rotation of the nut 814b.

The elevating shaft 812 is a tubular shaft having a through hole in its central axis, and a probe 813 is inserted into the through hole so as to be vertically slidable. The probe 813 penetrates the bottom of the holding member 811 in an air-tight manner in the vertical direction, and is vertically movable with respect to the supporting member 810 and the holding member 811 .

The probe 813 is an operator for opening and closing the valves 913 and 903 provided inside the convex portions 911d and 901c. It can be changed from an open state to a closed state (by the action of a return spring, not shown).

A screw 813 a that constitutes a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the probe 813 . A nut 815b is screwed onto the screw 813a. The lower unit 8C has a motor 815a, and the nut 815b is provided so as to rotate on the spot (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 815a. Rotation of the nut 815b moves the probe 813 up and down.

<4-4. Chubu Unit>
The central unit 8B will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 9. FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the central unit 8B. The middle unit 8B includes a support unit 81B that supports the extraction vessel 9. As shown in FIG. The support unit 81B includes a unit body 81B' that supports the lock mechanism 821 in addition to the arm member 820 described above.

The lock mechanism 821 is a mechanism that keeps the lid unit 91 closed with respect to the container body 90 . The locking mechanism 821 includes a pair of gripping members 821a that vertically sandwich the flange portion 911c of the lid unit 91 and the flange portion 90c of the container body 90. As shown in FIG. The pair of gripping members 821a has a C-shaped cross section that is fitted with the collar portion 911c and the flange portion 90c sandwiched therebetween, and is opened and closed in the left-right direction by the driving force of the motor 822 . When the pair of gripping members 821a is in the closed state, each gripping member 821a engages the flange portion 911c and the flange portion 90c so as to vertically sandwich the flange portion 911c and the flange portion 90c, as indicated by solid lines in the enclosing view of FIG. The unit 91 is hermetically locked to the container body 90 . In this locked state, even if the holding member 801 is lifted by the lifting shaft 802 to open the lid unit 91, the lid unit 91 does not move (lock is not released). That is, the locking force of the locking mechanism 821 is set stronger than the force of opening the lid unit 91 using the holding member 801 . As a result, it is possible to prevent the lid unit 91 from being opened with respect to the container body 90 in the event of an abnormality.

When the pair of gripping members 821a are in the open state, the gripping members 821a are separated from the flange portion 911c and the flange portion 90c, as indicated by the broken lines in the encircled view of FIG. is unlocked with

When the holding member 801 is holding the lid unit 91 and when the holding member 801 is raised from the lowered position to the raised position, the lid unit 91 is lifted from the container body 90 when the pair of gripping members 821a is open. separated. Conversely, when the pair of gripping members 821a is closed, the holding member 801 with respect to the lid unit 91 is released, and only the holding member 801 is raised.

The central unit 8B also includes a mechanism for horizontally moving the arm member 820 in the front-rear direction using the motor 823 as a drive source. As a result, the container body 90 supported by the arm member 820 can be moved between the rear extracting position (state ST1) and the front bean throwing position (state ST2). The bean-throwing-in position is a position at which ground beans are thrown into the container body 90, and the ground beans ground by the grinder 5B are thrown into the opening 90a of the container body 90 from which the lid unit 91 is separated from the discharge pipe 5C. In other words, the position of the discharge pipe 5C is above the container body 90 positioned at the bean loading position.

The extraction position is a position where the container body 90 can be operated by the operation units 81A and 81C, is coaxial with the probes 803 and 813, and is a position where coffee liquid is extracted. The extraction position is a position on the back side of the bean-throwing-in position. 5, 7 and 8 all show the container body 90 in the extraction position. In this way, by changing the position of the container body 90 for the input of the ground beans, the extraction of the coffee liquid, and the supply of the water, the steam generated during the extraction of the coffee liquid is discharged from the discharge pipe, which is the supply portion of the ground beans. Adherence to 5C can be prevented.

The central unit 8B also includes a mechanism that rotates the support unit 81B around a longitudinal axis 825 using a motor 824 as a drive source. As a result, the posture of the container body 90 (extraction container 9) can be changed from the upright posture (state ST1) with the neck portion 90b on the upper side to the inverted posture (state ST3) with the neck portion 90b on the lower side. While the extraction container 9 is rotating, the locking mechanism 821 keeps the lid unit 91 locked to the container body 90 . The extraction container 9 is turned upside down between the upright posture and the inverted posture. In the inverted posture, the convex portion 911d is positioned at the position of the convex portion 901c in the upright posture. In addition, the convex portion 901c in the inverted posture is positioned at the position of the convex portion 911d in the erect posture. Therefore, in the inverted posture, the operation unit 81A can perform the opening/closing operation for the valve 903, and the operation unit 81C can perform the opening/closing operation for the valve 913. FIG.

<5. Control device>
The control device 11 of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control device 11. As shown in FIG.

The control device 11 controls the beverage manufacturing device 1 as a whole. The control device 11 includes a processing section 11a, a storage section 11b and an I/F (interface) section 11c. The processing unit 11a is, for example, a processor such as a CPU. The storage unit 11b is, for example, RAM or ROM. The I/F unit 11c includes an input/output interface for inputting/outputting signals between an external device and the processing unit 11a. The I/F unit 11c also includes a communication interface capable of data communication with the server 16 and the mobile terminal 17 via the communication network 15 such as the Internet. The server 16 can communicate with a mobile terminal 17 such as a smartphone via a communication network 15, and can receive, for example, information such as reservations for beverage production and impressions from the mobile terminal 17 of beverage consumers. . A system for extracting a coffee beverage liquid from an extraction target includes the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, the server 16, and the mobile terminal 17. FIG.

A beverage consumer (user) can set a profile for beverage production from the portable terminal 17 . For example, on the screen of the mobile terminal 17, the user can set the amount of coffee beans, the grind size, the amount of steaming hot water, the steaming time, the amount of hot water to be extracted, the extraction pressure, the extraction time, etc., using a slide bar, for example. By enabling parameter adjustment for coffee beverage extraction on the mobile terminal 17, the user may be able to easily enjoy the feeling of coffee extraction operation like a barista. After the setting, the user visits a cafe, for example, and holds the two-dimensional code representing the setting content displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 17 over the imaging section of the information display device 12, thereby displaying the setting content on the information display device. 12 can be sent. The setting contents may be transmitted to the information display device 12 by other methods than the two-dimensional code. For example, the setting contents may be transmitted to the information display device 12 by short-range wireless communication. Note that in the present embodiment, the above parameters for brewing a coffee beverage are referred to as a brewing profile or recipe.

<6. Operation control example>
An example of control processing of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 executed by the processing section 11a will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11A shows a control example related to one coffee beverage production operation. The state of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 before the production instruction is given is called a standby state. The state of each mechanism in the standby state is as follows.

The extraction device 3 is in the state of FIG. The extraction container 9 is in an upright posture and positioned at the extraction position. The lock mechanism 821 is closed, and the lid unit 91 closes the opening 90a of the container body 90 . The holding member 801 is in the lowered position and attached to the projection 911d. The holding member 811 is in the raised position and attached to the projection 901c. Valves 903 and 913 are in a closed state. The switching valve 10a communicates the communication portion 810a of the operation unit 8C with the waste tank T. As shown in FIG.

In the standby state, when there is an instruction to produce a coffee beverage, the process of FIG. 11(A) is executed. Preheating is performed in S1. This process is a process of pouring hot water into the container body 90 to heat the container body 90 in advance. First, the valves 903 and 913 are opened. As a result, the pipe L3, the extraction container 9, and the waste tank T are brought into communication.

The electromagnetic valve 72i is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1500 ms) and then closed. As a result, hot water is injected into the extraction container 9 from the water tank 72 . Subsequently, the electromagnetic valve 73 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) and then closed. As a result, the air in the extraction container 9 is pressurized, and the discharge of hot water to the waste tank T is facilitated. By the above process, the inside of the extraction container 9 and the pipe L2 are preheated, and it is possible to reduce the cooling of the hot water in the subsequent production of the coffee beverage.

In S2, grind processing is performed. Here, roasted coffee beans are ground and the ground beans are put into the container body 90 . First, the lock mechanism 821 is opened, and the holding member 801 is raised to the raised position. The lid unit 91 is held by the holding member 801 and rises together with the holding member 801 . As a result, the lid unit 91 is separated from the container body 90 . The holding member 811 is lowered to the lowered position. The container main body 90 is moved to the bean-throwing-in position. Subsequently, the storage device 4 and the crushing device 5 are operated. As a result, a cup of roasted coffee beans is supplied from the storage device 4 to the grinder 5A. The roasted coffee beans are ground in two stages by the grinders 5A and 5B, and unwanted substances are separated by the separation device 6. - 特許庁Ground beans are put into the container main body 90 .

The container body 90 is returned to the extraction position. The holding member 801 is lowered to the lowered position to attach the lid unit 91 to the container body 90 . The lock mechanism 821 is closed to airtightly lock the lid unit 91 to the container body 90 . The holding member 811 rises to the raised position. Of the valves 903 and 913, the valve 903 is opened and the valve 913 is closed.

Extraction processing is performed in S3. Here, coffee liquid is extracted from the ground beans in the container body 90 . FIG. 11B is a flow chart of the extraction process of S3.

In S11, in order to steam the ground beans in the extraction container 9, hot water less than a cup of hot water is poured into the extraction container 9. - 特許庁Here, the solenoid valve 72i is opened and closed for a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms). As a result, hot water is injected into the extraction container 9 from the water tank 72 . After that, the process of S11 is terminated after waiting for a predetermined time (for example, 5000 ms). This process allows the ground beans to be steamed. By steaming the ground beans, the carbon dioxide gas contained in the ground beans can be released, and the subsequent extraction effect can be enhanced.

In S12, the remaining amount of hot water is poured into the extraction container 9 so that the extraction container 9 can accommodate a cup of hot water. Here, the solenoid valve 72i is opened and closed for a predetermined time (for example, 7000 ms). As a result, hot water is injected into the extraction container 9 from the water tank 72 .

By the process of S12, the inside of the extraction container 9 can be brought to a state of a temperature exceeding 100 degrees Celsius (for example, about 110 degrees Celsius) at 1 atmospheric pressure. Subsequently, the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized in S13. Here, the electromagnetic valve 73b is opened and closed for a predetermined time (for example, 1000 ms) to pressurize the inside of the extraction container 9 to a pressure that does not boil hot water (for example, about 4 atmospheres (about 3 atmospheres in gauge pressure)). After that, the valve 903 is closed.

Subsequently, this state is maintained for a predetermined time (for example, 7000 ms) and immersion type coffee liquid extraction is performed (S14). As a result, coffee liquid is extracted by immersion method under high temperature and high pressure. The following effects can be expected from immersion extraction under high temperature and pressure. First, the high pressure makes it easier for the hot water to permeate the inside of the ground beans, thereby promoting the extraction of the coffee liquid. Second, the high temperature promotes the extraction of the coffee liquid. Third, the high temperature lowers the viscosity of the oil contained in the ground beans and promotes the extraction of the oil. This makes it possible to produce a coffee beverage with a high aroma.

The temperature of the hot water (high-temperature water) should be above 100 degrees Celsius, but a higher temperature is advantageous in extracting the coffee liquid. On the other hand, raising the temperature of the hot water generally results in an increase in cost. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water may be, for example, 105 degrees Celsius or higher, or 110 degrees Celsius or higher, or 115 degrees Celsius or higher, or, for example, 130 degrees Celsius or lower, or 120 degrees Celsius or lower. The atmospheric pressure should be such that hot water does not boil.

In S15, the inside of the extraction container 9 is decompressed. Here, the pressure inside the extraction container 9 is switched to the pressure at which hot water boils. Specifically, the valve 913 is opened, and the solenoid valve 73c is opened and closed for a predetermined time (for example, 1000 ms). The inside of the extraction container 9 is released to the atmosphere. After that, the valve 913 is closed again.

The pressure inside the extraction container 9 is rapidly reduced to a pressure lower than the boiling point pressure, and the hot water in the extraction container 9 boils at once. The hot water and ground beans in the extraction container 9 are explosively scattered within the extraction container 9. - 特許庁This allows the water to boil evenly. In addition, destruction of the cell walls of the ground beans can be promoted, and subsequent extraction of the coffee liquid can be further promoted. In addition, the boiling can stir the ground beans and the hot water, thereby promoting the extraction of the coffee liquid. Thus, in this embodiment, the coffee liquid extraction efficiency can be improved.

In S16, the extraction container 9 is reversed from the upright posture to the inverted posture. Here, the holding member 801 is moved to the raised position, and the holding member 811 is moved to the lowered position. Then, the support unit 81B is rotated. After that, the holding member 801 is returned to the lowered position, and the holding member 811 is returned to the raised position. In the inverted extraction container 9, the neck portion 90b and the lid unit 91 are positioned on the lower side.

In S17, permeation type coffee liquid extraction is performed, and the coffee beverage is delivered to the cup C. Here, the switching valve 10a is switched to allow communication between the pouring portion 10c and the passage portion 810a of the operation unit 81C. Also, both the valves 903 and 913 are opened. Further, the electromagnetic valve 73b is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 10000 ms) to set the inside pressure of the extraction container 9 to a predetermined pressure (for example, 1.7 atmospheres (0.7 atmospheres in gauge pressure)). In the extraction container 9, the coffee beverage in which the coffee liquid is dissolved in hot water passes through the filter provided in the lid unit 91 and is delivered to the cup C. The filter regulates the leakage of ground residue. The extraction process is completed as described above.

In this embodiment, the immersion extraction in S14 and the permeation extraction in S17 are used together to improve extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid. When the extraction container 9 is in an upright position, the ground beans are deposited from the body portion 90e to the bottom portion 90f. On the other hand, when the extraction container 9 is in an inverted position, the ground beans are deposited from the shoulder portion 90d to the neck portion 90b. The cross-sectional area of the body portion 90e is larger than the cross-sectional area of the neck portion 90b, and the ground beans are deposited thicker in the inverted posture than in the upright posture. That is, when the extraction container 9 is in the upright posture, the ground beans are relatively thin and are deposited widely, and when the extraction container 9 is in the inverted posture, they are deposited relatively thick and narrow.

In the case of this embodiment, the immersion extraction in S14 is performed with the extraction vessel 9 in an upright position, so that the hot water and the ground beans can be brought into contact with each other over a wide range, and the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid can be improved. However, in this case, hot water and ground beans tend to come into partial contact. On the other hand, since the permeation extraction in S17 is performed with the extraction container 9 in an inverted position, the hot water passes through the piled ground beans while coming into contact with more ground beans. The hot water comes into contact with the ground beans more evenly, and the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid can be further improved.

Returning to FIG. 11A, after the extraction process of S3, the discharge process of S4 is performed. Here, processing related to cleaning the inside of the extraction container 9 is performed. Cleaning of the extraction container 9 is performed by returning the extraction container 9 from the inverted position to the upright position and supplying tap water (purified water) to the extraction container 9 . Then, the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized, and the water in the extraction container 9 is discharged to the disposal tank T together with the residue of the ground beans.

Thus, one coffee beverage manufacturing process is completed. Thereafter, similar processing is repeated for each manufacturing instruction. The time required for making one coffee beverage is, for example, about 60 to 90 seconds.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the information display device 12. As shown in FIG. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the results of actually measuring the pressure in the extraction vessel 9 and the amount of hot water during extraction are plotted in real time as the extraction progresses. In FIG. 12, the thin solid line indicates the target pressure change in the brewing container 9 when brewing a cup of coffee (pressure change graph), and the thin dashed line indicates the target pressure when brewing a cup of coffee. It shows the change in the amount of hot water in the extraction vessel 9 (liquid amount change graph). In addition, the thick solid line shows how the pressure change in the extraction container 9 that changes in real time during actual coffee extraction is plotted in real time, and the thick dashed line shows the extraction container that changes in real time during actual coffee extraction. It shows how the change in the amount of hot water in 9 is plotted in real time. The pressure and the amount of hot water in the extraction vessel 9 may be measured by providing a pressure sensor or a water level sensor in the extraction vessel 9, or based on the measurement values obtained by the pressure sensor 72g and the water level sensor 72c. It is also possible to obtain

In FIG. 12, periods T1 to T5 and halfway through T6 are plotted, the current extraction process progresses halfway through period T6, the pressure in the extraction vessel 9 is 1.2 atmospheres, and the amount of hot water in the extraction vessel 9 is 100cc. It shows that In other words, as the extraction process progresses after the middle of the period T6, the results of actually measuring the pressure and the amount of hot water in the extraction container 9 are plotted and displayed successively. Moreover, FIG. 12 shows that the target pressure and amount of hot water cannot actually be reached in each period due to malfunction of various valves, hot water and pressure paths, leakage in the extraction vessel 9, and the like. That is, the display in FIG. 12 enables the user to compare the target value and the actual value.

In FIG. 12, the target pressure change in the extraction container 9, the target hot water amount change in the extraction container 9, the measured pressure change in the extraction container 9, the measured hot water amount change in the extraction container 9, was showing However, the target pressure change in the extraction container 9 and the measured pressure change in the extraction container 9 may be displayed. Alternatively, the target change in the amount of hot water in the extraction container 9 and the measured change in the amount of hot water in the extraction container 9 may be displayed. In this embodiment, the screen displayed on the information display device 12 during coffee beverage production can be switched between FIG. 12 and the screens of FIGS. 15 to 19 described below by user operation. The switching may be performed from a menu on the main screen displayed on the information display device 12, for example.

Display control processing during the production of coffee beverages according to the present embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, the image during production selected by the user is displayed on the information display device 12 during production of the coffee beverage corresponding to the recipe. For example, according to the user's selection, each description of the coffee beverage manufacturing process is displayed as an image during manufacturing while the coffee beverage is being manufactured. For example, according to the user's selection, the profile of a recipe creator such as a barista is displayed as an image during the production of coffee beverages. For example, according to the user's selection, during the production of the coffee beverage, information of the coffee bean plantation used in the selected recipe is displayed as the image during production. It should be noted that the “user” may be a staff member or administrator who provides coffee beverages using the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, or a general customer who has ordered a coffee beverage.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing display control processing during production of a coffee beverage according to this embodiment. The processing of FIG. 13 is implemented by, for example, loading a program stored in the ROM of the storage unit 11b into the RAM by the CPU of the processing unit 11a and executing the program. Such a program constitutes a program as the present invention.

In S1201, the processing unit 11a receives recipe selection from the user. Recipe selection may be configured as follows. For example, on the screen displayed on the information display device 12, it is displayed as a plurality of selectable items such as "Blend A", "Blend B", etc. corresponding to the types of coffee beans. . In each item, parameters such as the amount of coffee beans, the grind size, the amount of steaming hot water, the steaming time, the amount of hot water to be extracted, the extraction pressure, and the extraction time are linked and stored as a recipe. That is, by selecting any item on the screen, the associated and stored parameter is selected as the recipe. Note that the processing unit 11 a may receive a recipe selection on the screen of the information display device 12 , or may acquire information on the recipe selected on the mobile terminal 17 .

In S1202, the processing unit 11a receives from the user a selection of an image to be displayed during the production of the coffee beverage. After receiving the recipe selection in S1201, the processing unit 11a displays a screen 1810 shown in FIG. Items 1811 to 1814 are displayed on the screen 1810 as selection items. Item 1811 is selected when displaying images describing each manufacturing process during the manufacture of the coffee beverage. Item 1812 is selected to display information about the coffee beans during the brewing of the coffee beverage. Item 1813 is selected when displaying information of a recipe creator such as a barista during coffee beverage production. Item 1814 is selected when displaying history information related to the recipe during the production of the coffee beverage, for example, one-point information such as an arrangement method discovered during the devising of the recipe. Also, item 1815 is selected when information on items selected from items 1811 to 1814 is to be sent to other beverage manufacturing apparatuses 1 . When the button 1816 is pressed, the setting contents in the screen 1810 are confirmed, and the process proceeds to S1203. By the processing of S1202, it may be possible to accept image selection by the user before the coffee beverage is produced.

In S1203, the processing unit 11a determines whether or not to reflect the selection information of the items 1811 to 1814 to the other beverage manufacturing apparatuses 1 or not. For example, when the item 1815 is selected, the processing unit 11a determines that the selection information of the items 1811 to 1814 is reflected in the other beverage manufacturing apparatuses 1, and in S1204, the items 1811 to 1814 are selected. to other beverage manufacturing apparatuses 1. The other beverage production apparatus 1 that has received the selection information defaults an image to be displayed during production of the coffee beverage based on the received selection information. After S1204, the process proceeds to S1205. On the other hand, if it is determined not to reflect the selection information of items 1811 to 1814 to other beverage manufacturing apparatuses 1, the process proceeds to S1205.

In S<b>1205 , the processing unit 11 a determines whether or not the item selected in S<b>1202 is recipe information of the item 1813 . If it is determined in S1202 that the item for which selection has been received is the recipe information of the item 1813, the process advances to S1207. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1202 that the item for which selection has been accepted is not the recipe information of the item 1813, the process advances to S1206.

In S1206, the processing unit 11a displays the screen 1401 of FIG. Information about this recipe is displayed in an area 1402 of the screen 1401 . As information about this recipe, for example, a name 1403 of this recipe, a photo image 1404 of the creator of this recipe such as a barista, a feature 1405 of this recipe, and a barista profile 1406 are displayed. Area 1402 is not limited to these pieces of information, and other information may be displayed. When the return button 1407 is pressed, the display returns to the previously displayed screen such as the recipe selection screen. When the extraction start button 1408 is pressed, production of the coffee beverage is started based on this recipe.

In this way, by displaying the screen 1401 before starting coffee beverage production, it is possible to provide the user with information about the creator of the recipe, regardless of the selection made in S1202. After S1206, the process proceeds to S1207.

In S1207, the processing unit 11a waits for the display start timing of the image selected in S1202. For example, when the preprocessing of S1 in FIG. 11A is started, the processing unit 11a determines that it is time to start displaying the image selected in S1202, and, in S1208, displays the image selected in S1202. to start displaying. The processing of S1208 will be described later with reference to FIG.

In S1209, the processing unit 11a terminates image display. For example, the processing unit 11a ends the display of the image when the ejection process of S4 in FIG. 11A is completed. Then, in S1210, the processing unit 11a displays on the information display device 12 a notification screen to the effect that the extraction of coffee has been completed. The notification screen only needs to show that the coffee has been extracted. For example, a message such as "Extraction is complete. Please have a cup of coffee." may be displayed. Note that the message is not limited to text display, and may be a still image, a moving image, or a combination thereof. After S1210, the process of FIG. 13 ends.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing of S1208. In S1301, the processing unit 11a determines whether or not it is necessary to switch the display of the image selected in S1202 for each manufacturing process of the coffee beverage. For example, when the selection of item 1811 has been accepted in S1202, the processing unit 11a determines that switching is necessary for each coffee beverage manufacturing process, and proceeds to S1302.

In S1302, the processing unit 11a displays an image corresponding to the manufacturing process. For example, when the processing of S1302 is executed for the first time, the processing unit 11a displays the screen 1411 of FIG. 15B corresponding to the preheating of S1 of FIG. An area 1412 of the screen 1411 displays the currently executed manufacturing process in an identifiable manner. Area 1413 displays the remaining time for the current process. Area 1414 displays information corresponding to the selected tab among tabs 1417-1420. A tab 1417 corresponds to the item 1811 in FIG. 19B, and when the tab 1417 is selected, an explanatory image of each manufacturing process is displayed in the area 1414. FIG. A tab 1418 corresponds to the item 1812 in FIG. 19B, and when the tab 1418 is selected, information about coffee beans is displayed in an area 1414. FIG. A tab 1419 corresponds to the item 1813 in FIG. 19B, and when the tab 1419 is selected, information on recipes is displayed in an area 1414 . A tab 1410 corresponds to the item 1814 in FIG. 19B, and when the tab 1420 is selected, history information related to the recipe is displayed in the area 1414. FIG.

FIG. 15B shows an example in which a tab 1417 is selected, and an explanatory image of each manufacturing process is displayed in an area 1414. FIG. An area 1415 displays the name of the currently executed manufacturing process "preheating" and its description, and an area 1416 displays an image of the currently executed manufacturing process "preheating".

If the manufacturing process currently being executed is "grind", screen 1501 of FIG. 16(a) is displayed. An area 1502 of the screen 1501 displays the name "grind" of the currently executed manufacturing process and its description, and an area 1503 displays an image of the currently executed manufacturing process "grind".

If the manufacturing process currently being executed is "steaming", the screen 1511 of FIG. 16(b) is displayed. An area 1512 of the screen 1511 displays the name of the currently executed manufacturing process "steaming" and its description, and an area 1513 displays an image of the currently executed manufacturing process "steaming".

If the manufacturing process currently being executed is "main hot water supply", a screen 1601 of FIG. 17(a) is displayed. An area 1602 of the screen 1601 displays the name of the currently executed manufacturing process "main hot water supply" and its description, and an area 1603 displays an image of the currently executed manufacturing process "main hot water supply". be.

If the manufacturing process currently being executed is "agitation (chamber reversal)", screen 1611 of FIG. 17(b) is displayed. An area 1612 of the screen 1611 displays the name of the manufacturing process currently being executed "stirring" and its description, and an area 1613 displays an image of the manufacturing process "stirring" currently being executed.

If the manufacturing process that is currently being executed is "cup delivery (ejection)", screen 1701 of FIG. 18(a) is displayed. An area 1702 of the screen 1701 displays the name of the currently executed manufacturing process "Cup Sending" and its description, and an area 1703 displays an image of the currently executed manufacturing process "Cup Sending". be.

The image images of the areas 1416, 1503, 1513, 1603, 1613, and 1703 may be, for example, identifiable display of members currently in operation. Further, the image may be a still image, or may be a moving image such as an animation or a video image. Also, whether or not the images of the areas 1416, 1503, 1513, 1603, 1613, and 1703 are moving images may be selected on the screen 1810 in FIG. 19B, for example. That is, in this embodiment, "selection of image" by selecting tabs 1417 to 1420 includes selection of image type, selection from still images, selection from moving images, and selection from still images and moving images. At least include.

In S1303, the processing unit 11a determines whether or not a change of the image to be displayed has been received. For example, the processing unit 11a determines whether or not a tab for displaying an image other than the currently displayed image has been selected from among the tabs 1417-1420. For example, when the screen 1411 of FIG. 14B is displayed in S1302, if any of the tabs 1418 to 1420 is pressed, it is determined that an image change has been accepted, and the process advances to S1306. On the other hand, if it is determined that the image change has not been accepted, the process advances to S1304.

In S1304, the processing unit 11a determines whether or not it is time to switch the images to be displayed, based on whether or not it is time to switch the manufacturing process of the coffee beverage. For example, when the process proceeds from the preheating process of S1 in FIG. 11A to the grinding process of S2, the processing unit 11a determines that it is time to switch the displayed image, and proceeds to S1305. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not the timing to switch the image to be displayed, the processing from S1302 is repeated.

In S1305, the processing unit 11a determines whether the image displayed before switching was the image corresponding to the last manufacturing process. For example, if the image displayed before switching is the screen 1701 in FIG. 18A corresponding to the discharge process in S4 in FIG. It is determined that it is an image, and the process of FIG. 14 is terminated. After the end of FIG. 14, the display of the image is ended in S1209 of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the image does not correspond to the last manufacturing process, the processing from S1302 is repeated.

If it is determined in S1303 that the change of the image to be displayed has been accepted, in S1306 the processing unit 11a displays the image for which the change has been accepted. For example, when the processing unit 11a accepts pressing of the tab 1418 while the screen 1501 of FIG. 16(a) is being displayed, the processing unit 11a displays the screen 1710 of FIG. 18(b). In an area 1414 of the screen 1710, a name 1711 of this recipe, a photograph image 1712 of the coffee bean farm corresponding to this recipe, information 1713 about the coffee beans and the farm, and a description 1714 are displayed. Area 1414 of screen 1710 is not limited to these pieces of information, and other information may be displayed. Note that screen 1710 displays the same content in any process of coffee beverage production. By displaying screen 1710, it may be possible to provide the user with information about the coffee bean farm corresponding to the recipe.

Further, for example, when the processing unit 11a accepts pressing of the tab 1419 while the screen 1411 of FIG. 15B is being displayed, the processing unit 11a displays the screen 1801 of FIG. 19A. The name 1802 of the recipe, the photo image 1803, the feature 1804 of the recipe, and the profile 1805 on the screen 1801 are the descriptions and descriptions in the name 1403 of the recipe, the photo image 1404, the feature 1405 of the recipe, and the profile 1406 in FIG. are the same. The same content is displayed on the screen 1801 regardless of the process of manufacturing the coffee beverage. Displaying screen 1801 may provide the user with information about the creator of the recipe.

The photographic images 1404, 1712, and 1803 described above may be still images, or moving images such as animation or video images.

In the present embodiment, when the process of S1306 is started, the image after switching is displayed from the time point corresponding to the elapsed time displayed before switching. For example, when the elapsed time of the screen 1501 displayed before switching is 10 seconds, in S1306, the processing unit 11a displays the screen 1710 from the time when 10 seconds have elapsed. With such a configuration, the user may be able to check the remaining time of area 1413 regardless of whether or not images are switched. After S1306, the process proceeds to S1308.

In S1308, the processing unit 11a determines whether or not a change of the image to be displayed has been received. For example, the processing unit 11a determines whether or not a tab for displaying an image other than the currently displayed image has been selected from among the tabs 1417-1420. When the screen 1710 of FIG. 18B is displayed in S1308, if pressing of any of the tabs 1417, 1419, and 1420 is accepted, it is determined that the change of the image to be displayed has been accepted. Here, if pressing of the tab 1417 is accepted, the process proceeds to S1302, and if pressing of either of the tabs 1419 and 1420 is accepted, the process proceeds to S1306. When the process proceeds to S1302 and the processing of S1302 is started, the image after switching is displayed from the time point corresponding to the elapsed time displayed before switching, as described above. Also, when the process proceeds to S1306 and the processing of S1306 is started, the image after switching is displayed from the time point corresponding to the elapsed time displayed before switching, as described above. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1308 that the change of the image to be displayed has not been received, the process advances to S1309.

In S1309, the processing unit 11a determines whether or not it is time to finish displaying the image. For example, when the ejection process of S4 in FIG. 11A is finished, the processing unit 11a determines that it is time to finish displaying the image, and finishes the process of FIG. After the end of FIG. 14, the display of the image is ended in S1209 of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not the timing to finish displaying the image, the processing from S1308 is repeated.

Refer to S1301 again. If it is determined in S1301 that the image selected in S1202 does not need to be switched for each manufacturing process of the coffee beverage, the process advances to S1307. For example, if selection of any one of items 1812 to 1814 has been received in S1202, it is determined that switching is not necessary for each coffee beverage manufacturing process, and the process proceeds to S1307. In S1307, the processing unit 11a displays an image corresponding to the item selected in S1202, for example, the screen 1710 or the screen 1801. FIG. After S1307, the process advances to S1308, and the above-described processing is performed.

In the above description, it has been explained that the images of the areas 1416, 1503, 1513, 1603, 1613, and 1703 may be moving images. It may be possible.

The display control processing according to the present embodiment has been described above. However, when the occurrence of an error related to beverage production is determined internally, an error screen can be displayed, and the user cannot select an image during production while the error screen is being displayed. state. Here, the error means, for example, a cover opening error when the opening of the cover is detected, or various errors when various sensors (eg, temperature sensor, pressure sensor) indicate an abnormal value (eg, temperature error, pressure error), etc.

In the above, an example of displaying an image during manufacturing such as a moving image on the information display device 12 was shown, but the present invention is not limited to displaying one image during manufacturing in one display area (display means). The middle images may be configured to be displayed in a plurality of display areas. For example, an image during production "barista image" is displayed in one display area of the information display device 12, and an image during production "farm image" is displayed in another display area of the information display device 12 in parallel. A middle image “manufacturing process image” may be displayed on the cover portion 102 .

The selection screen of the image under manufacture by the user is not limited to displaying the name of the image under manufacture (tabs 1417 to 1420) as shown in FIG. may be alternately displayed. For example, tab 1417 in FIG. In the next few seconds, the tab 1418 in FIG. For a few seconds, the tab 1419 in FIG. 15(b) is selected, and the manufacturing image "recipe information" is displayed in the area 1414. For the next few seconds, the tab 1420 in FIG. 15(b) is selected. , an image during production "recipe history" is displayed in area 1414, the tab 1417 in FIG. The user may be prompted to select an image during manufacture as in the above.

A plurality of in-manufacturing images may be registered in advance. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a management table showing patterns of images during manufacturing pre-stored in the storage unit 11b, for example. The display of the in-manufacturing image is controlled based on the management table shown in FIG. The table in FIG. 20 is displayed, for example, on the maintenance screen of the beverage manufacturing apparatus and can be edited by the administrator. For example, when the manufacturing image pattern 1 of FIG. 20(a) is adopted as the manufacturing image, the images such as "barista image", "farm image", and "manufacturing process image" are displayed as described above with reference to FIGS. 15 to 19. Moving images are selectively displayed. Further, for example, when the during-manufacturing image pattern 2 in FIG. 20B is adopted as the during-manufacturing image, still images such as "merchandise image", "store image", and "machine image" are selectively displayed. Further, for example, when the manufacturing image pattern 3 of FIG. 20(c) is adopted as the manufacturing image, still images and moving images such as "product image", "store image", and "historical image" are selectively displayed. be done.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to set a moving image or a still image for each of the six manufacturing processes (preheating, grinding, steaming, main hot water supply, stirring, and cup delivery). It is also possible to set one image (moving image, still image) in the process. For example, when "barista image" is selected by the user, "movie B1" is reproduced during "process 1" (preheating process), and "process 2" (grinding process) is performed. , the image is also switched from "moving image B1" to "moving image B2" and reproduced. On the other hand, during the period from "process 1" (preheating process) to "process 2" (grinding process) when "historical image" is selected by the user, "moving image H2" is reproduced without switching. In addition, when one moving image is registered in a certain process, the moving image may be played back repeatedly unless another in-manufacturing image is reselected before the process proceeds to the next process. and the final screen of the moving image may be displayed still.

In each table of FIG. 20, "process 1" is a preheating process, "process 2" is a grinding process (a process of grinding beans), "process 3" is a steaming process, and "process 4" is a main hot water supply process. "Step 5" indicates a stirring step, and "Step 6" indicates a cup delivery step. "Process 3" to "Process 5" are omitted.

"Status" in each table in FIG. 20 is a field for registering whether or not the user can select the image under manufacture in the corresponding row. can be selected, and if it is "not", it indicates that the user cannot select the image during manufacture of the corresponding row. It may be configured so that it is not displayed as a user option (for example, tabs 1417 to 1420 in FIG. 15(b)) unless the field is "permitted".

"Movie B1" to "Movie B6", "Movie F1" to "Movie F6", "Movie M1" to "Movie M6", and "Movie H2" in FIG. ~ "still image P6", "still image S1" ~ "still image S5", "still image M1" ~ "still image M6" indicate the names of various still images. are the same, it means that the contents are also the same. For example, "Video B1" played during "Step 1" (preheating step) when "Barista image" is selected and "Step 1" (when "Farm image" is selected) The "moving image F1" reproduced during the preheating step) has a different name, indicating that the moving image has different content. In addition, the "still image P1" reproduced during "process 6" (the process of sending out the cup) when the "product image" is selected and the "process 6" when the "store image" is selected Since the "still image P1" reproduced during the (step of sending out the cup) has the same name, it indicates that the content is the same still image.

In-manufacturing image pattern 1 in FIG. 20(a) is an example in which a "barista image", a "farm image", and a "manufacturing process image" are registered as a plurality of in-manufacturing images that can be selected by the user. . For example, when the "barista image" is selected by the user, the "movie B1" is reproduced in the "process 1" (preheating process) of the beverage production process, and the "movie B1" is reproduced in the "process 2" (grinding process). "Movie B2" is reproduced, and "movie B6" is reproduced in "step 6" (the step of feeding the cup).

In-manufacturing image pattern 2 in FIG. 20B is an example in which a "product image", a "store image", and a "machine image" are registered as a plurality of user-selectable images in manufacturing.

In-manufacturing image pattern 3 in FIG. 20(c) is an example in which a "product image", a "store image", and a "historical image" are registered as a plurality of in-manufacturing images that can be selected by the user. Note that the "machine image" cannot be selected by the user. The "possible" and "not possible" of this "status" cannot be changed by user operation, but can be changed by administrator operation. Here, the administrator operation is, for example, an operation that can be changed on a management screen that is displayed when an administrator password or the like is entered. The "state" field can be changed, and when the "state" field of "machine image" is changed from "not possible" to "possible", the user can change "product image", "store image", "historical image", "machine image" You can select an image during manufacturing from four. Conversely, if the "product image" is changed from "possible" to "not possible" by the administrator's operation, the user cannot select the "product image" as an image during production.

20, the "barista image" is an introductory video of a barista who created a recipe that can be used in the beverage manufacturing apparatus, and the "farm image" is a video that can be used in the beverage manufacturing apparatus. This is an introduction video of the coffee bean production farm used in the recipe, and the "Manufacturing process image" is an introduction video of the 6 manufacturing processes of the beverage production equipment (preheating, grinding, steaming, main hot water supply, stirring, cup delivery). be. These three correspond to items 1811-1813 in FIG. 19(b) described above. The "product image" is a group of still images that introduce recipes that can be used with the beverage manufacturing apparatus, the "store image" is a group of still images that introduces the store in which the beverage manufacturing apparatus is installed, and the "machine image". is a group of still images introducing the beverage manufacturing apparatus, and "historical image" is a group of moving images and still images introducing the history of the development of the beverage manufacturing apparatus.

The manufacturing image in the first row of the manufacturing pattern in FIG. 20 may be used as the default manufacturing image. For example, in the case of "in-manufacturing image pattern 1" in FIG. You may make it reproduce|regenerate. A default in-manufacturing image may be settable by an administrator's operation. For example, it may be possible to change the row of the image pattern during manufacturing by an administrator's operation. For example, in the case of "image pattern 1 during production" in FIG. may be the default in-production image.

Further, the row of the image pattern during production may be replaced according to various information stored along with the use of the beverage production apparatus. For example, in the case of the "production image pattern 1" in FIG. 20(a), when the user selects "farm image", the first row "barista image" and the second row "farm image" in the production image pattern are displayed. may be replaced so that the "farm image" becomes the default image during production, or which image during production has been selected by the user since the power of the beverage production apparatus is turned on is stored cumulatively, and the image selected by the user is the most selected. The rows of the image-in-manufacturing pattern may be exchanged so that the image-in-manufacturing pattern obtained is the default image-in-manufacturing. For example, if "farm image" is selected most often, the first row "barista image" and the second row "farm image" in the image pattern under production are exchanged, and the "farm image" is the default image under production. You may make it become. In addition, a plurality of beverage manufacturing equipment in a certain store (for example, multiple beverage manufacturing equipment installed in store A, multiple beverage manufacturing equipment installed in either store A or B) or a location of a certain store (such as a store (a plurality of beverage manufacturing machines installed on the first floor of A), the most recently selected image during manufacture or the most frequently selected image during manufacture may be the default image during manufacture, The most frequently selected in-process image by a user may be the default in-process image when that user performs a beverage manufacturing operation. Conversely, the in-manufacturing image that has been selected the least number of times by a single user may be the default in-manufacturing image.

In the above example, an example of setting the default in-manufacturing image has been shown. It may be replaced with an example of setting an under-manufacturing image displayed in the display area where the tab 1417 is displayed among the areas. For example, although the above example states that ``the image being manufactured that is most frequently selected by one user may be the default image being manufactured when the user performs the beverage manufacturing operation'', ``one user The image under manufacture selected most by ) (for example, the display area where the tab 1417 in FIG. 15B is displayed)."

The under-manufacturing image in the under-manufacturing image pattern may be added from the outside (for example, a server) through a signal line (for example, a LAN line such as the Internet). For example, as a new in-manufacturing image from the server via the Internet by the administrator's operation, for example, "new recipe image" (process 1: video N1, process 2: video N2, ..., process 6: still image N6 ) and each image (moving image N1, moving image N2, . At this time, just in case, the "status" field of the newly added image under production should be set to "disabled", and the user can select it only after changing the "status" from "disabled" to "enabled" by administrator operation It may be possible, or the "state" field may be set to "possible" from the beginning. Here, an example of downloading data from a server via the Internet was given, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to copy or move images during manufacturing and image data stored in other devices such as another beverage manufacturing device. can be

In addition, as shown in the image pattern during manufacture, an example in which a user-selectable image during manufacture and image data are stored in the beverage manufacturing apparatus and used is shown. Image data is stored externally (eg, a server), and is sent to the beverage manufacturing apparatus via a signal line (eg, Internet, etc.) or wireless communication each time a beverage is extracted, the power is turned on, or an image selected by the user is displayed. You may download it.

<Summary of embodiment>
The beverage manufacturing apparatus of the above embodiment includes manufacturing means for manufacturing a beverage, and when a moving image is selected from a plurality of images while the beverage is being manufactured by the manufacturing means, the moving image is displayed as an image during manufacturing. display means (FIGS. 12 and 13); and selection means (1417 to 1420) for selecting the production-in-progress image displayed by the display means from the plurality of images including at least one of moving images and still images. ). With such a configuration, a moving image selected from a plurality of images can be displayed during the production of the coffee beverage.

Further, the selection means receives selection of the image under manufacture by the user when the image under manufacture is displayed by the display means (S1303, S1308), and the image under manufacture by the user is received by the selection means. When the selection of is received, the display means switches the image under manufacture displayed before the selection is received to the image under manufacture for which the selection is received (S1302, S1306). do. With such a configuration, even when the in-manufacturing image is displayed, it is possible to switch to the selected in-manufacturing image and display it.

Further, the display means displays the post-switching image during manufacture from a point in time corresponding to the display elapsed time of the pre-switching image during manufacture. With such a configuration, the post-switching under-manufacturing image can be displayed from a point in time corresponding to the display elapsed time of the pre-switching under-manufacturing image.

Further, it is characterized by further comprising transmission means (S1204) for transmitting the content of the selection of the image under manufacture received by the selection means to another beverage manufacturing apparatus. With such a configuration, it is possible to reflect the selection setting of the in-manufacturing image to other beverage manufacturing apparatuses.

Further, the image during manufacturing is characterized by being an image (1411, 1501, 1511, 1601, 1611, 1701) explaining the manufacturing process of the beverage. Further, the image during manufacture is characterized by being an image (1801) explaining a creator of the recipe of the beverage. Also, the beverage is manufactured from coffee beans, and the image during manufacture is an image (1710) describing the coffee beans. With such a configuration, various information can be provided to the user by displaying the image during selection during the production of the coffee beverage.

Further, the manufacturing means manufactures the beverage through a plurality of manufacturing processes, and at least one moving image among the plurality of images is composed of a plurality of types of moving images, and the manufacturing process from one manufacturing process to the next manufacturing process in the plurality of manufacturing processes is performed. When proceeding to the manufacturing process of (1), one moving image among the plurality of types of moving images is switched to the next moving image (FIG. 20). With such a configuration, moving images can be switched as the manufacturing process progresses.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the invention.

1 Beverage production device: 9 Extraction container: 11a Processing unit: 11b Storage unit: 12 Information display device: 15 Communication network: 17 Portable terminal: 71 Reserve tank: 72 Water tank: 72f, 72h, 73c, 73b, 728 Solenoid valve

Claims (7)

a production means for producing a beverage;
receiving means for receiving, from a user, selection of an image to be displayed while the beverage is being manufactured by the manufacturing means;
display control means for causing a display device to display an image selected by the reception means ;
with
The images that can be selected by the receiving means include a first image composed of a plurality of images and a second image composed of one image,
The display control means is
When the selection of the first image is received by the receiving means, switching display is performed so that the first image is switched and displayed on the display device according to the progress of the manufacturing process of the beverage,
When the selection of the second image is received by the receiving means, continuous display is performed so that the second image is continuously displayed on the display device even if the beverage manufacturing process progresses,
The display control means controls the switching display of the first image and the continuous display of the second image by receiving the selection by the receiving means during the manufacture of the beverage by the manufacturing means. is switchable,
A beverage manufacturing apparatus characterized by: The beverage production apparatus according to claim 1,
each of the plurality of images constituting the first image corresponds to each of the plurality of manufacturing steps of the beverage;
The display control means is
When the selection of the first image is received by the receiving means while the second image is continuously displayed, the second image is displayed as the first image corresponding to the manufacturing process being executed. The switching display is performed by switching to the image of and displaying the remaining first image on the display device by switching according to the switching of each of the plurality of manufacturing processes of the beverage.
A beverage manufacturing apparatus characterized by: The beverage production apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The beverage manufacturing apparatus, wherein the receiving means can receive the selection from the user before the beverage is manufactured. The beverage production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first image is an image for explaining the manufacturing process of the beverage,
The beverage is a beverage produced from coffee beans,
The second image is an image describing the coffee beans,
A beverage manufacturing apparatus characterized by: The beverage production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first image is an image for explaining the manufacturing process of the beverage,
The second image is an image describing the creator of the beverage recipe,
A beverage manufacturing apparatus characterized by: The beverage production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The display control means displays the remaining time of each of the plurality of manufacturing processes of the beverage,
Even when the plurality of images are switched in the switching display, the remaining time is displayed in the image displayed after the switching.
A beverage manufacturing apparatus characterized by: A display method performed in a beverage production apparatus, comprising:
a manufacturing process for producing a beverage;
a receiving step of receiving from the user a selection of an image to be displayed during manufacture of the beverage in the manufacturing process;
a display control step of displaying on a display device the image selected in the receiving step ;
has
The images that can be selected in the receiving step include a first image composed of a plurality of images and a second image composed of one image,
In the display control step,
When the selection of the first image is received in the receiving step, the first image is switched according to the progress of the manufacturing process of the beverage, and switching display is performed to display on the display device,
When the selection of the second image is received in the receiving step, continuous display is performed so that the second image is continuously displayed on the display device even if the beverage manufacturing process progresses,
In the display control step, the switching display of the first image and the continuous display of the second image are performed by accepting the selection in the accepting step during production of the beverage in the production step. is switchable,
A display method characterized by:

Images