TW201617994A - Beverage flow charging system and charging method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A beverage flow charging system and its charging method are disclosed. Beverages are stored in at least a liquid container. At least one liquid switch set that includes at least a liquid switch is provided. Each liquid switch is connected to a liquid container through a liquid channel. An electric valve is set between each liquid channel and each liquid container. At least a flowmeter is connected to the at least one liquid switch to measure the beverage quantity flowing through each liquid switch. A processing unit is electrically connected to a central control unit, the flowmeter and the electric valve. The central control unit can be operated by a main display control device to open each electric valve through the processing unit. The processing unit can receive the beverage quantity data transmitted by each flowmeter, and the central control unit calculates the charge details before the processing unit displays information of the beverage quantity and the charge details through the main display control device.

Description

Beverage flow rate system and its charging method

The invention relates to a beverage flow rate system and a charging method thereof, in particular to a billing system and method capable of grasping beverage consumption information of each consumer at any time, simplifying the billing procedure, and improving the checkout efficiency.

In a variety of food consumption occasions with separate spaces or independent locations (eg, restaurants, KTV, etc.), the traditional supply of various beverages is mostly from the consumer directly to the refrigerator or beverage storage dispenser for storing beverages, or Received by the consumer notification service personnel. However, in the above-mentioned business mode in which the beverage is directly used by the consumer, the checkout counter of the store cannot fully grasp the quantity and the amount of beverages taken by each consumer, and thus it is easy to cause the calculation of the amount of the beverage to be taken, and the service personnel The way in which the beverage is delivered will result in a burden on the service staff.

Moreover, the above two kinds of beverage supply methods need to rely on the staff to calculate the number of beverage bottles or cups one by one in the subsequent checkout, which not only increases the burden of the service personnel, but also easily leads to calculation errors or error situations. Therefore, how to provide a mechanism and system for saving the manpower and accurately grasping the consumption of beverage consumption for the aforementioned beverage supply demand is a problem that various related businesses need to work hard.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a beverage flow rate system and a meter thereof The fee method, by controlling the liquid switch of the beverage circulation, matching the flow meter capable of measuring the flow of the beverage, returning the information through a processing unit, and the calculation processing of a central control unit, so as to provide the store owner with the beverage consumption information of each consumer at any time. In order to effectively simplify the billing process and improve the efficiency of checkout operations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage flow rate system and a charging method thereof, which is provided with a display on the side of the liquid switch for obtaining a beverage, and the secondary display can display the promotion content, the latest news or the latest news of the store. At present, the access and billing information of various beverages is provided for consumers to grasp various instant messages, beverages, consumption and other related information at any time.

In order to achieve the above object and effect, the technical means adopted by the present invention comprises: a beverage flow rate system comprising at least: a liquid storage tank containing at least one beverage therein; at least one liquid switch group, each of the liquid switch groups respectively having At least one liquid switch, and each of the liquid opening relationships is respectively connected to a liquid storage tank via a liquid pipeline, and each liquid opening relationship is respectively operated to control the outflow of the beverage in the communicating liquid pipeline; at least one electric valve, Between the liquid line and the liquid storage tank, respectively, to control the flow of the beverage from the liquid storage tank into the liquid pipeline; at least one flow meter is respectively connected with the liquid pipeline and the liquid switch for measuring the passage a liquid flow and a flow of the beverage flowing out through the liquid switch; a processing unit electrically connected to the at least one electric valve and the at least one flow meter for receiving an action signal from a central control unit Opening at least one of the electric valve and receiving at least one flow rate of the beverage flow back through the liquid line, and transmitting the flow value to the center a central control unit coupled to the processing unit and a main display control device for receiving an operational signal from the primary display control device, transmitting it to the processing unit, and receiving flow values from the processing unit Transmitting the flow value into a charging value, and then transmitting the flow value and the charging value to the The main display control device is connected to the central control unit and includes a main display and a control module. The control module can generate an operation signal according to the user operation and can receive the central control unit. The control unit returns the value, and the above operation signal and the return value can be displayed on the main display.

According to the above structure, the central control unit is further connected to a display, and the secondary display is disposed at a position close to the side of each liquid switch group.

According to the above structure, the central control unit can connect the secondary display via wired and/or wireless transmission.

According to the above structure, the outer side of the liquid pipeline is provided with a heat insulating structure.

According to the above structure, the liquid storage tank is further connected to a supercharger capable of performing a supercharging operation in the liquid storage tank.

According to the above structure, the main display manipulation device is a touch screen.

According to the above structure, the main display manipulation device can be externally connected to a manipulation keyboard.

The technical means adopted by the present invention further comprises: a beverage flow rate method comprising the steps of: receiving, by a central control unit, a start operation signal from a user operating a main display control device, transmitting the start operation signal And a processing unit, and the at least one electric valve is opened through the processing unit, so that the beverage in the at least one liquid storage tank flows into the at least one liquid pipeline; and when the liquid storage tank and the liquid pipeline are connected The liquid switch is opened by a consumer, and the beverage in the liquid storage tank can pass through the flow meter and flow out from the liquid switch; when the liquid switch is turned off, the flow meter is about to measure the subtotal flow of the beverage. Data is transmitted to the central control unit via the processing unit, and generates a subtotal flow data; the central control unit receives subtotal flow data from the respective flow meters of the processing unit, and separately After accumulating, the cumulative flow value of each beverage is converted into a billing amount, and the respective beverage flow value and the converted billing amount are transmitted to the main display control device, and displayed on the main display control When the consumer wants to pay the bill, the central control unit can use the beverage flow data of the different liquid switches to calculate and return the billing details displayed on the main display control device for checkout.

According to the above method, after the checkout step, there may be another step of causing the central control unit to receive a shutdown operation signal from the user, and transmitting the shutdown operation signal to the processing unit to cause the shutdown to be turned on. At least one electric valve, thereby stopping the supply of beverages in each of the reservoirs.

In order to obtain a more specific understanding of the above objects, functions and features of the present invention, the following figures are illustrated as follows:

10,11,12‧‧‧ liquid storage tank

100‧‧‧ supercharger

2‧‧‧Liquid switch group

21, 22, 23‧‧‧ liquid switch

211, 221, 231‧‧‧ liquid lines

30, 31, 32‧‧‧ flowmeter

40, 41, 42‧‧‧ electric valve

5‧‧‧Processing unit

6‧‧‧Central Control Unit

7‧‧‧Main display control device

70‧‧‧Sub Display

S11‧‧‧ receiving a start operation signal from a user operating a main display control device by using a central control unit, transmitting the start operation signal to a processing unit, and opening at least one electric valve via the processing unit to enable at least one The beverage in the liquid storage tank flows into at least one liquid pipeline

S12‧‧‧ When a liquid switch connected to the activated liquid storage tank and the liquid pipeline is opened by a consumer, the beverage in the liquid storage tank can pass through the liquid pipeline through a flow meter and self-liquid The body switch flows out

S13‧‧‧ When the liquid switch is turned off by the consumer, the flow meter transmits the measured subtotal flow data of the beverage to the central control unit via the processing unit, and generates a subtle flow data.

S14‧‧‧ The central control unit receives subtotal flow data from the respective flowmeters of the processing unit, and successively accumulates them, and then converts the accumulated flow values of the respective beverages into billing amounts, and separates the respective The beverage flow value and the converted billing amount are transmitted to the main display control device and displayed on the main display control device

S15‧‧‧Checkout for payment

S16‧‧‧Using the central control unit to calculate and charge back the billing details displayed on the main display control device according to the beverage flow data of different liquid switches

S17‧‧‧ The central control unit receives a shutdown operation signal from the user, and transmits the shutdown operation signal to the processing unit to close the opened electric valve, thereby stopping the beverage supply of each liquid storage tank

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a flow chart of the charging method of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the present invention exemplifies the beverage flow rate system of the present invention by a plurality of liquid storage tanks. However, it should be understood that only a liquid storage tank for supplying a single type of beverage may be included. . The structure of the invention mainly comprises: liquid storage tanks 10, 11, 12, liquid switch group 2, electric valves 40, 41, 42, flow meters 30, 31, 32, processing unit 5, central control unit 6 and main display control device 7 And other parts, wherein the liquid storage tanks 10, 11, 12 respectively accommodate different drinks In the actual application, the number of the liquid storage tanks 10, 11, 12 can be increased or decreased as needed to accommodate other kinds of beverages.

In a possible embodiment, the liquid storage tank 10 is further connected to a supercharger 100 (the same applies to the liquid storage tanks 11, 12), and the supercharger 100 can be disposed in the liquid storage tank 10 (the liquid storage tank 11, 12) connected to the liquid storage tank 10 (the liquid storage tanks 11, 12) through a pipeline, and pressurized the inside of the liquid storage tank 10 (the liquid storage tanks 11, 12) by means of gas pressurization, so that The inside of the liquid storage tank 10 (storage tanks 11, 12) is maintained at an appropriate high pressure state to facilitate the outflow of the beverage.

The liquid switch group 2 is disposed on the box or the dining table, and each of the liquid switch groups 2 has a plurality of liquid switches 21, 22, 23 (can be increased or decreased as needed), and each of the liquid valves 21, 22, 23 is respectively connected via a liquid tube The roads 211, 221, and 231 are connected to the liquid storage tanks 10, 11, and 12; in practical applications, the liquid valve groups 2 (liquid switches 21, 22, 23) on the respective compartments or dining tables are connected to the respective liquid storage tanks 10, 11 12, the beverage in each of the liquid storage tanks 10, 11, 12 can be simultaneously supplied to each of the compartments or the dining table; and the outer peripheral side of each of the liquid pipelines 211, 221, 231 is provided with a heat insulating structure to keep the beverage in the transmission process. temperature.

In a possible embodiment, the liquid switches 21, 22, 23 generally refer to a mechanism that controls the outflow or outflow of liquid, such as a manual switch such as a faucet or a water outlet valve.

The plurality of electric valves 40, 41, 42 are respectively disposed between the liquid pipes 211, 221, 231 and the respective liquid storage tanks 10, 11, 12; in practical applications, the number of the electric valves 40, 41, 42 can be The number of the liquid storage tanks 10, 11, 12 varies with the increase or decrease.

The plurality of flow meters 30, 31, 32 are respectively connected to the respective liquid switches 21, 22, 23 for measuring the flow rate of the beverage passing through the respective liquid switches 21, 22, 23; in practical applications, the flow meters 30, 31 The number of 32 may vary as the number of liquid switches 21, 22, 23 increases or decreases.

The main display control device 7 is connected to the central control unit 6, and includes a main display and a control module therein. In this embodiment, the main display and the control module are integrated into a touch screen, but in actual application, the main display and the control module can be selectively separated into two components, or have a display function. The main display control device 7 is externally connected with a control keyboard, and the control module can generate an operation signal according to the operation of the user, and can receive the return value from the central control unit 6, and can simultaneously transmit the operation signal and the return value. Displayed on the main display; in another embodiment, the control module can be a pointer input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, or a button switch, a rocker switch (or a lever switch), a button/button Switch, slide switch, rocker switch (or ship type switch, Loco switch), DIP switch, micro switch (or limit switch, limit switch) and other mechanical switches, or touch switches, touch switches, etc. Electronic switch.

The processing unit 5 is electrically connected to the electric valves 40, 41, 42 and the flow meters 30, 31, 32, respectively, and the processing unit 5 can receive the action signal of the central control unit 6 to open the electric valves 40, 41. And 42, and receiving the flow rate values of the respective flow meters 30, 31, 32 through the liquid lines 211, 221, 231, and transmitting the respective flow values to the central control unit 6.

The central control unit 6 is electrically connected to the processing unit 5 and the main display control device 7, respectively. The central control unit 6 can transmit the operation signal of the main display control device 7 to the processing unit 5 In addition, the flow rate value from the processing unit 5 can be received and converted into a charge value, which is then transmitted to the main display control unit 7 for display.

In a feasible embodiment, the central control unit 6 can be a host, and the host can be at least a personal computer, an industrial computer, a server, or the like depending on the manner in which it is implemented. A terminal device such as a notebook computer or tablet computer, or a control device such as a programmable controller, a single chip, a system single chip, or an embedded system.

In a possible embodiment, the processing unit 5 can be a control device such as a programmable controller, a single chip, a system single chip or an embedded system, and the control device can include a microprocessor for editing and writing. The control program includes a plurality of I/O points, outputs, input ports, and the like for connection with the control module; and the processing unit 5 can be combined with a display module as needed, and the display module is based on actual The demand may be a seven-segment display, an LED array, a liquid crystal panel (referred to as a display panel without a package) or a liquid crystal display (referred to as an externally packaged liquid crystal display).

In a possible embodiment, the central control unit 6 can be connected to a display 70 via a wired and/or wireless transmission. The secondary display 70 can be disposed at a position adjacent to each of the compartments or the dining table. And the content displayed by the sub-display 70 can be used by the store to promote the promotional content, the latest news or the current access and billing information of various beverages, so as to facilitate consumers to grasp various instant messages, as well as beverages, consumption, etc. News.

In the present invention, when the central control unit 6 is a terminal device, it may have an index text input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, and the main display control device 7 serves as a display; and in the central control unit 6 A billing module is built, and the billing module can be a soft type or a hardware type. The so-called software type means that the billing module is written and compiled in a programming language, stored in a storage device of the central control unit 6, read and executed by the microprocessor, and then the billing module. The execution status of the group is displayed on the main display 7 described above, and the user operates the billing module by operating an index text input device such as the keyboard or the mouse. The so-called hardware type means that the billing module is written in a programming language and then burned in a single-chip or embedded system. Forming an interface control card, and being connectable to the interface bus, the action is similar to the software type, the difference is that the microprocessor does not need to read the hardware module of the hardware type. Only the charging data transmitted by the charging module is received. It should be noted that the above-mentioned main display 7 has been widely combined with the function of display and input, that is, a so-called touch display panel. In the present invention, the touch display panel can be resistive, capacitive or infrared. Or an ultrasonic touch display panel; further, the flow meters 30, 31, 32, the liquid switches 21, 22, 23 can be connected to the central control unit 6 via the processing unit 5 via the interface bus Electrically connected, the central control unit 6 can receive the flow data while controlling the operation of each of the electric valves 40, 41, 42 via the processing unit 5.

Referring to FIG. 3, the charging method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the foregoing first and second figures. First, step S11 - receiving a start operation from a user operating a main display operating device by using a central control unit Signaling, transmitting the start operation signal to a processing unit, and opening at least one electric valve through the processing unit, so that at least one beverage in the liquid storage tank flows into at least one liquid pipeline, which is operated by a store (restaurant, KTV) Afterwards, the central control unit 6 can output an operation signal to the central control unit 6 directly by the reception clerk or the consumer, and the central control unit 6 receives the operation signal and outputs an action signal to The processing unit 5 performs a power supply for turning on at least one of the electric valves 40, 41, 42 by the processing unit 5, so that the beverages in the corresponding liquid storage tanks 10, 11, 12 can flow into the liquid lines 211, 221, 231.

Step S12 - when a liquid switch connected to the activated liquid storage tank and the liquid pipeline is opened by a consumer, the beverage in the liquid storage tank can pass through the liquid pipeline through a flow meter and self-liquid The body switch flows out outwardly, and the consumer opens the liquid switch 21 (or the liquid switch 22, 23) in each box or on the dining table to obtain the desired beverage; at this time, the liquid storage tank 10 (or The beverage in the reservoirs 11, 12) can pass through the flow meter 30 (or the flow lines 31, 32) and the liquid switch 21 (or the liquid switches 22, 23) via the liquid line 211 (or the liquid lines 221, 231), respectively. Flow out.

Step S13 - When the liquid switch is turned off by the consumer, the flow meter transmits the measured subtotal flow data of the beverage to the central control unit via the processing unit, and generates a subtotal flow data, which is when the consumer After the liquid switch 21 (or the liquid switches 22, 23) is closed with sufficient beverage, each flow meter 30 (or flow meter 31, 32) immediately transmits the measured subtotal flow data of each beverage to the center via the processing unit 5. The control unit 6 and the central control unit 6 generate a subtotal flow data.

Step S14 - the central control unit receives the subtotal flow data of the respective flow meters from the processing unit, and successively accumulates them, and then converts the accumulated flow values of the respective beverages into billing amounts, and separates the respective drinks. The flow rate value and the converted billing amount are transmitted to the main display control device, and displayed on the main display control device, and the sub-flow data is received by the central control unit 6, and are sequentially accumulated and converted as needed. The billing amount is immediately displayed on the main display control device 7 for the accumulated flow rate and billing amount of each beverage, so that the store can grasp the various beverage consumption status of each box or table at any time, and the beverages are The accumulated flow rate and billing amount can also be selectively displayed on the sub-display 70 to provide instant access information of various beverages to consumers of each box or table, thereby achieving a completely transparent consumer information disclosure.

Step S15 is a step of judging whether or not to pay the checkout. If it is negative "N", the above step S12 is repeated. If it is affirmative "Y", then an S16 step is performed - using the central control unit to switch according to different liquid switches Flow data, calculated and returned to the main display control The billing details of the device are checked out, and the central control unit 6 sums up the total consumption amount of each beverage, and converts the total consumption amount of the beverage, and then displays the complete billing details of each beverage in the main display control device. On the 7th, in addition to avoiding the manual calculation method, which is error-prone and labor-intensive, it is also convenient for the store to perform the checkout operation quickly and correctly.

In step S17, the central control unit receives a shutdown operation signal from the user, and transmits the shutdown operation signal to the processing unit to close the opened at least one electric valve, thereby stopping the beverage in each liquid storage tank. The supply, that is, after the consumer of the box or the table is checked out, the clerk can output another closing operation signal to the central control unit 6 by the main display control device 7, and the central control unit 6 receives the closing operation signal and outputs another closing. The signal is sent to the processing unit 5, and the processing unit 5 performs a power supply to turn off the electric valves 40, 41, 42 to stop the supply of the beverage in the liquid storage tanks 10, 11, 12.

In summary, the beverage flow rate system and the charging method thereof of the present invention can achieve the effect of grasping the beverage consumption information of each consumer end and simplifying the charging procedure at any time, which is a novel and progressive invention. The invention is filed according to law; however, the above description is only for the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and any changes, modifications, alterations or equivalent replacements extended by the technical means and scope of the present invention should also fall. Within the scope of the patent application of the present invention.

10,11,12‧‧‧ liquid storage tank

2‧‧‧Liquid switch group

21, 22, 23‧‧‧ liquid switch

211, 221, 231‧‧‧ liquid lines

30, 31, 32‧‧‧ flowmeter

40, 41, 42‧‧‧ electric valve

5‧‧‧Processing unit

6‧‧‧Central Control Unit

7‧‧‧Main display control device

70‧‧‧Sub Display

Claims (9)

A beverage flow rate system includes at least one liquid storage tank for accommodating a beverage; at least one liquid switch group, each liquid switch group respectively having at least one liquid switch, and each liquid opening relationship is respectively connected via a liquid pipeline a liquid storage tank, each liquid opening relationship is respectively operated to control the outflow of the beverage in the liquid pipeline; at least one electric valve is respectively disposed between the liquid pipeline and the liquid storage tank, thereby controlling the beverage storage The liquid tank flows into the liquid pipeline; at least one flow meter is connected to the liquid pipeline and the liquid switch, respectively, for measuring the flow of the beverage flowing through the liquid pipeline and flowing through the liquid switch; a processing unit The at least one electric valve and the at least one flow meter are electrically connected to receive an action signal from a central control unit to open at least one of the electric valves, and receive at least one flow meter back through the liquid tube a beverage flow value of the road, the flow rate value is transmitted to the central control unit; a central control unit, the processing unit and the main display control device Receiving, receiving an operation signal from the main display control device, transmitting it to the processing unit, and receiving a flow value from the processing unit, converting the flow value into a charging value, and further converting the flow value to the charging value Transmitted to the main display control device; a main display control device is connected to the central control unit, and includes a main display and a control module, the control module can generate an operation signal and receive according to a user operation The value is returned from the central control unit, and the above operation signal and return value can be displayed on the main display. The beverage flow rate system of claim 1, wherein the central control unit is further coupled to a display, the secondary display being disposed adjacent to a side of each of the liquid switch groups. The beverage flow rate system of claim 2, wherein the central control unit is connectable to the secondary display via wired and/or wireless transmission. The beverage flow rate system of claim 1, wherein the liquid pipeline is provided with a heat insulating structure outside. The beverage flow rate system of claim 1, wherein the liquid storage tank is further connected to a supercharger capable of performing a supercharging operation on the liquid storage tank. The beverage flow rate system of claim 1, wherein the main display control device is a touch screen. The beverage flow rate system of claim 1, wherein the main display control device is externally connected to a control keyboard. A beverage flow meter method includes the steps of: receiving, by a central control unit, a start operation signal from a user operating a main display control device, transmitting the start operation signal to a processing unit, and opening the processing unit via the processing unit At least one electric valve, the beverage in the at least one liquid storage tank flows into the at least one liquid pipeline; when a liquid switch connected to the activated liquid storage tank and the liquid pipeline is opened by a consumer, the storage The beverage in the liquid tank can pass through the liquid pipeline through a flow meter and flow out from the liquid body switch; when the liquid switch is closed by the consumer, the flow meter will pass the measured subtotal flow data of the beverage through the current The processing unit transmits to the central control unit and generates a subtle flow of funds The central control unit receives subtotal flow data from the respective flow meters of the processing unit, and successively accumulates them, and then converts the accumulated flow values of the respective beverages into billing amounts, and separates the respective beverage flows. The value and the converted billing amount are transmitted to the main display control device and displayed on the main display control device; when the consumer wants to pay the bill, the central control unit can be used according to different liquid switches. The beverage flow data is calculated and returned to the billing details displayed on the main display control device for checkout. The beverage flow meter method of claim 8, wherein after the checkout step, there may be another step of causing the central control unit to receive a shutdown operation signal from the user, the shutdown operation signal It is sent to the processing unit to close the above-mentioned electric valve that is turned on, thereby stopping the supply of beverages in each of the liquid storage tanks.