WO2021105199A1

WO2021105199A1 - Modular beverage preparation system

Info

Publication number: WO2021105199A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/083339
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulf STENERHAG; Mattias LISS; Martin Renck; Niclas EMDELIUS
Original assignee: Wayout International Ab
Priority date: 2019-11-26
Filing date: 2020-11-25
Publication date: 2021-06-03
Also published as: SE1951351A1

Abstract

There is provided a system comprising at least one beverage preparation module comprising a) a container containing a computer-controlled beverage producing unit, b) a device for wireless data communication based on cellular wireless communication for providing data communication to the computer-controlled beverage producing unit, the system further comprising a mobile device for cellular data communication and a server, where the mobile device is configured to provide instructions to the computer-controlled beverage producing via the server and the device for wireless data communication of the beverage preparation unit.

Description

MODULAR BEVERAGE PREPARATION SYSTEM

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a system and methods for providing beverages, in particular beer.

Background

Distribution of beverages is typically centralised meaning that beverages are produced and packaged (bottled) centrally and containers/bottles are then distributed using a fleet of trucks or other vehicles. This has several drawbacks. For example, it may be difficult to de liver different kinds of beverages quickly because the distribution chain is long. Also, trucks that carry out transport have a large carbon footprint and other environmental effects.

Summary of invention

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising at least one beverage preparation module comprising a) a container containing a computer-controlled beverage producing unit for brewing beer, b) a device for wireless data communication based on cellular wireless communica tion, said device being able to be user equipment in a cell network, for providing data communication to the computer-controlled beverage producing unit, the system further comprising a mobile device for cellular data communication and a server, where the mobile device is configured to provide instructions to the computer-controlled beverage producing unit via the server, the cell network, and the device for wireless data communication of the beverage preparation module.

The main component of beverages is water. Hence, the current beverage distribution sys tems, which uses vehicles, mainly transport and store water. The system described herein provides for localized production of beverages to meet local fast fluctuation in demand for beverage. A new type of beverage can be provided within a short time at the push of a button, or in a "plug and play" manner. The system described herein can replace the current system which mainly uses trucks and large storage areas for beverage distribution and will have lower environmental impact, such as for example a lower emission of carbon dioxide.

The module can be easily transported and deployed to provide beverage where there is otherwise difficult to provide beverage, such as in remote areas, mountainous areas, ski lift stations, safari lodges, etc. The module may also be used in areas where a nature disaster has damaged the water purification infrastructure and there is need for beverage produc tion, in particular water production. The module can rapidly become connected to the server with the aid of the wireless network communication.

In one embodiment the data communications device has an antenna for connecting to the cell network, said antenna being external to the container. This has the advantage of providing sufficient contact between the server and the beverage production unit in the module.

The module is preferably suitable for being placed outdoors,

In a preferred embodiment the walls of the container has thermal insultation. The container may also have proofing against, heat, cold, rain, snow, and strong winds. The container may preferably be of such a size that it can be transported by truck. It may preferably have the dimensions of a standard intermodal shipping container.

The server may have stored a plurality of recipes for producing different kinds of beer, where each recipe comprises instructions for the computer-controlled beverage producing unit for how to produce the beer, where the recipes can be selected by using the mobile device, and the selection of a recipe using the mobile device causes the server to provide the instructions to the computer controlled beverage producing unit to produce the bev- erage. The beverage producing unit may comprise at least one sensor selected from a flow sen sor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor and a level sensor and the system may be configured to collect data from the sensor and provide it to the server.

The system may comprise two or more beverage preparation modules. The server may then have stored in its memory a module dataset which comprises information about fail ures or error codes of the plurality of modules, and where the server may then be config ured to use the dataset to create a decision rule for maintenance of the modules. The de cision rule may be created by applying machine learning to the module dataset.

In one embodiment the system is configured to be connectable to a solar panel for gener ating electric power to the beverage preparation unit and the system is configured to time the execution of beverage production steps according to the when the solar panel is able to produce electric power. The beverage production step may be heating or cooling.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for providing a beverage producing system comprising the steps: a) providing at least one beverage preparation module, said beverage preparation unit comprising a. a container containing a computer-controlled beverage producing unit , said module being suitable for being placed outdoors, b. a device for wireless data communication based on cellular wireless communication said device being able to be user equipment in a cell network, for providing data communication to the computer-controlled beverage producing unit, b) transporting the at least one beverage preparation module to a desired loca tion, c) connecting the at least one beverage preparation module to at least a water supply, d) establishing a data connection between the beverage preparation module and a server using the device for wireless data connection. The method may comprise the step of registering an identity of the module in a module dataset of the server. The computer-controlled beverage producing unit may comprise a computer which comprises a user interface. The method may comprise the step of, in the dataset, granting control of the module to a user. The user is then preferably able to con trol the module with a mobile device. It is advantage if the registration process can be car ried out independently of a user account and a mobile device because then installation of the module may be carried by different people than the actual running of the module. In a preferred embodiment the computer of the module comprises a user interface and step d) is initiated with he the use of the user interface.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method involving a system according to the first aspect of the invention where the server has stored in its memory a module dataset which comprises information about failures or error codes of the plurality of mod ules, and where the server is configured to use the dataset to create a decision rule for maintenance of the modules and the method comprising a) applying machine learning the dataset, where the dataset contains information about a plurality of modules, to obtain a decision rule and storing the decision rule in module monitoring software of the server. b) optionally, the server receiving data from a computer about operation of a module, c) the module monitoring software making a decision about the maintenance of a mod ule, preferably the particular module from which the data was received.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and schematically illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and serve to illustrate the principles of the inven tion.

Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a system.

Fig. 2 is a drawing of a beverage preparation module in operation.

Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of a beverage preparation module. Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing of a system showing both hardware and software components. Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing of a computer of a beverage production unit.

Figs. 6-7 are flowcharts showing methods. Detailed description

With reference to Figs 1 to 5, system 1 comprises a beverage preparation module 2 com prising a container 3 which contains a beverage production unit 4 which is computer con trolled. Module 2 also comprises a wireless data communication device 5. System 1 also comprises server 6. The wireless data communication device 5 and the server 6 are able to exchange data with the use of wireless communication, in particular cell network 7. Sys tem 1 is adapted to interact with cell network 7 which may be any suitable cell network having a data communication ability for example a 3G, 4G or 5G cell network. Wireless data communication device 5 may also comprise hardware and software for other types of wireless communication such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

The container 3 is preferably of a size such that the beverage preparation module 2 can be transported using a truck or trailer, or similar. Hence the container 3 may be movable. For example, it may have the dimensions of a prefabricated shipping container. The container may have the dimensions of a standard intermodal shipping container. Standard ISO ship ping containers are 8ft (2.43m) wide, 8.5ft (2.59m) high and come in two lengths; 20ft (6.06m) and 40ft (12.2m). The container 3 may be made of steel or other strong material such as aluminium, glass fiber, plastic, plywood, or similar material. The container 3 is pref erably self-supporting. Container 3 may have any suitable shape where a rectangular block shape or approximately such a shape are preferred. The rectangular block may have dimen sion that are approximately: height 2-3 m, width 2-3 m and length 3-12 m. It may be possible for a user to enter into the container 3, for example by walking into the container, in order to service the beverage preparation unit 4 or to make input into computer 10. The container is adapted to be placed on the ground or on a floor. The container 3 may have an essentially flat underside for placing the container 3 on flat ground or on a floor, but container 3 may be provided with feet or rails for placing on an uneven surface.

Container 3 may have a suitable arrangement for lifting the container 3 by a crane or oth erwise moving the container 3. For example, the container 3 may have one or more rings for attaching the hook of a crane, or arrangement for attaching a spreader for lifting the container 3.

Hence, the beverage preparation module 2 can be transported to the intended location and easily become connected and provide beverage in a short time.

Module 2 is preferably suitable for being placed outdoors. Hence the container 3 may have suitable proofing against one or more of the following: heat, cold temperatures, rain, snow or strong winds, in order to protect the various components of the module 2 or provide a controlled environment for beverage production. The walls (including roof and bottom) of container 3 may have thermal insulation. The walls may be rainproof and windproof. The bottom of the container is suitable for being placed on the ground and may be proofed against rain and water seepage. The walls of the container 3 may have a total thickness, including insulation, of at least 2, cm more preferably at least 4 cm and most preferably at least 6 cm. In one embodiment the container is a regular intermodal shipping container provided with internal thermal insulation. Module 2 may be provided with arrangements for proving a controlled temperature and humidity inside the container 3, such as a heater, cooler, air conditioner, humidifier or dehumidifier. The computer may be arranged to con trol the internal conditions of container 3 and keep for example temperature or humidity within a predetermined range.

The beverage preparation module 2 is preferably connectable to external power supply, a water supply and sewage and may preferably be provided with suitable pipes and wiring to enable easy connectivity. Walls of container 3 may have suitable bushings for various con nections or ports for various utilities such as electricity, water, sewage and data 1 communication. The beverage preparation module 2 may have a pump for providing suc tion from a water source such as, the sea or a lake or a river to provide water.

The container 3 may have an inlet or door (or booth) for providing solid materials in the beverage preparation process (such as malt, hops and yeast). The beverage preparation module 2 has one or more taps 8 for dispensing the beverage from the beverage prepara tion module 2. The tap 8 may be operated manually (by hand) (actual movement of bever age trough tap 8 may be powered by pressure of the beverage in a tank of the beverage preparation unit 4).

Beverage preparation module 2, in particular computer 10, is able to establish data com munication with server 6, which data connection preferably is carried out in part through cell network 7 and internet 11. More specifically, wireless data communications device 5 preferably has an antenna 9 for connecting to cell network 7, in particular a base station of cell network 7 as shown in Fig 1. The antenna 9 is preferably external to container 3. For example, the antenna 9 may be mounted on the roof of the container 3 as seen in Fig. 3. Examples of a suitable antennas include Poynting OMNI-292 or Poynting XPOL-A002. Com munications device 5 may comprise means for identifying communication device 5 in cell network 7 such as a SIM card or a site for inserting a SIM card, or similar. A virtual SIM card may be used. Communications device 5 may hence take the role of "user equipment", (UE), using telecom terminology, in the cell network. The communications device 5 may use the antenna 9 to connect to a base station of the cell network 7 as shown in Fig. 1.

Communication between module 2 and server 6 preferably involves the external cell net work antenna 9 of the module 3.

Beverage production unit 4 is located in container 3 of beverage preparation module 2. The beverage production unit 4 may be adapted to provide any type of beverage such as potable water, beer or soda, wine or cider. In one preferred embodiment the beverage is beer. In one preferred embodiment the beverage is potable water. The beverage production unit 4 may comprise a water purification unit. The water purification unit may use any suitable technology such as filters, heating, UV irradiation or addition of chemicals such as chlorine. The beverage production unit may also comprise a desalination unit for removing salt from the water to be provided for the beverage production. The beverage production unit 4 may also provide a unit for adding various ingredients such as flavouring, such as syrup for providing a soda, and carbon dioxide.

Beverage production unit 4 may produce the beverage on demand, for example by mixing water and a syrup when a user uses tap 8. Syrup and water may then be mixed immediate before being provided to user through tap 8. Alternatively, beverage may be produced by beverage production unit 4 in a batch process in advance and stored in a tank in beverage production unit 4. This is the case with for example beer, cider, and wine.

Potable water may be produced on demand or in advance.

The beverage production unit 4 is computer controlled such that a computer 10 controls the valves, pumps, heaters, and coolers in a predetermined sequence to provide an auto matic brewing or beverage production process. Computer 10 may also control a cleaning process when the beverage has been prepared or on a predetermined schedule (Clean-in- place).

Beverage production unit 4 preferably has at least one sensor 15 for sensing for example, flow, temperature, pressure, or level in the beverage production unit 4. In general, sensor 15 may be able to provide data to computer 10 and to server 6 and/or to handheld device 12. For example, there may be a sensor 15 that senses the amount of beverage that has been dispensed, for example a flow sensor that senses flow through tap 8. The sensor 15 may also collect noise or vibration for example pump noise or pump vibration. When bev erage production unit 4 is adapted for brewing beer, computer 10 uses the information from sensor 15 to control the beverage production process. For example, temperature sen sors are used for sensing the temperature when heating and cooling during the brewing process. Pressure sensors may be used to sense the pressure in the tanks. Computer 10 may be able to generate error messages and to provide these to server 6 and /or to mobile device 12.

Computer 10 is connected to data communications device 5. Computer 10 may also com prise memory 18, processor 19 and bus 20. Computer 10 is connected to at least one sensor 15 such that computer 10 is able to receive a signal from sensor 15. The memory 18 of computer 10 of the beverage production unit 4 has at least one set of instructions in digital form for producing a beverage. The computer 10 may have access to a plurality of instruc tions, one for each type of beverage, such as different types of beer, soda etc. The digital instructions may be provided from server 6 to computer 10. Computer 10 may have a user interface, which a user may use to, for example, start or stop brewing procedures, or for initiating registration of the module 2 in system 1 upon deployment of module 2. The user interface may comprise a display and input means, such as a keyboard, a mouse, joystick, touchscreen or the like.

System 1 may also comprise mobile device 12. The mobile device 12 may be for example a mobile phone a tablet computer, but in a preferred embodiment the mobile device 12 is a mobile phone such as for example iPhone or an Android phone. Mobile device 12 prefera bly has a user interface comprising a display and a keyboard, such as a touch screen. As is known in the art, mobile device 12 has a processor and a memory and wireless communi cation ability, in particular means for acting as a user equipment (UE) in a cell network 7, for example a SIM card.

The mobile device 12 is configured to control beverage preparation module 2 preferably via server 6, for example with the use of an app stored on mobile device 12. Mobile device 12 may have software such as an app, for controlling the beverage production module 2, such as sending a start or a stop command. The software may also be used for receiving and displaying information about the beverage production module 2 and an ongoing beverage production/brewing process. Communication between mobile device 12 and module 2 is preferably via server 6 via cell network 7 and internet 11 but may occasionally also occur using other wireless or wire bound technologies, for example Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, for exam ple in case of failure of network 7 or server 6. Hence, the wireless communication device 5 may comprise a wi-fi router that is able to establish a connection with mobile device 12 using wi-fi (in many instances without provid ing an internet connection).

The mobile device 12 may be able to reach certain (or most) services of server 6 only after logging in with a user account. Typically, an instruction from a user of a module 2, such a start command, is input by a user of mobile device 12 using interface of mobile device 12. Mobile device 12 then provides the command to server 6, which in turn provides the in struction to module 2. Communication in system 1 may encrypted. Mobile device 12 may receive a confirmation from module 2 via server 6. If server 6 is unable to reach module 2, mobile device may receive an error message.

Computer 10 may provide information about the beverage preparation process to mobile device 12. Information may comprise start of run, end of run, error messages, no water, no concentrate, power out, sensor values, etc. The information is preferably provided via server 6.

The server 6 may be a single, standalone computer server, or server 6 may be distributed across several physical or virtual computer servers or data stores, as the case may be. Hence, various components and functionalities of server 6 may be carried out by different computers.

Server 6 typically comprises a module for handling user accounts and permits such as cre ating user accounts, setting passwords, and associating user accounts with individual mod ules 2. The user account may define which modules 2 a certain mobile device 12 is able to control (when there are multiple modules, see below). Hence an individual module 2 is as sociated with a permit for at least one user account. One user account may be used to control more than one module 2.

Server 6 has stored various recipes 21 for various beverages. In a preferred embodiment there are recipes for producing different types of beer such as lager, ale, IPA, stout etc. The recipes 21 comprise digital instructions to the computer 10 of the beverage producing unit 4. Memory of server 6 may also comprise module dataset IB, external event dataset 14 and module monitoring software 23, described in more detail below. The server 6 has a user interface for carrying out for example: editing of recipes, adding recipes, creating user accounts, adding beverage preparation module identity, and moni toring a fleet of modules 2. The user interface may be used to manually enter information about failures or errors of individual modules 2 or parts of modules 2 into module dataset 13.

In a preferred embodiment the beverage production unit 4 comprises a brewery for brew ing and providing beer, typically in a batch process. The capacity may be about 100 to 3000 litres of beer per batch. Hence, the beverage production unit 4 may comprise tanks for stor ing malt, hops and yeast, one or more fermentation tanks, heaters and coolers as is known in the art of brewing. The beverage production unit 4 may also comprise tanks, pipes, valves and pumps necessary for this purpose. In a preferred embodiment the beverage production unit for producing beer comprises a water purification unit. Again, the beverage production unit 4 is computer controlled such that a computer 10 controls the valves, pumps, heaters and cooler in a predetermined sequence to provide an automatic brewing process for brew- ing beer. Beer brewing as such has been known for thousands of years and will not be dis cussed in detail here, but typically brewing beer involves mixing water with malt and hops, boiling the mixture, then adding yeast to allow the mixture to ferment and then a matura tion step. Ready-to-use malt, hops and yeast is convenient to use, for example a combined malt- and hops extract. The computer 10 has software that provides instruction for the brewing process. The computer control is preferably such that a user need only to provide a starting command to the computer 10, which then controls the rest of beverage produc tion unit 4. The computer 10 may provide a message to the user when the brewing process is completed. For brewing beer, the brewing time is often around 3-20 days. In a preferred embodiment system 1 comprises a plurality of modules 2. Each beverage preparation module 2 may be controlled by a separate mobile device 12. Each beverage preparation module 2 preferably has a separate identity which is stored in module dataset IB in server 6. Module dataset 13 is preferably a database that may comprise the identity of one or a plurality of modules 2, and where each module 2 is associated with data regard ing associated user accounts and other information described in more detail below. The identity of module 2 may be stored as a string of characters or numbers in module dataset 13. User account login service may be provided by a provider Google (Gmail) or Facebook.

At the initial registration of the module 2 in the system 2, the identity of the module 2 may be provided from the module 2 to the server 6, at the registration process. Identity may also be assigned to the module 2 by the server 6. The user interface of computer 10 in the mod ule 2 may be used to initiate communication with the server 6, for example during registra tion of a new module 2 in the system 1. Alternatively, mobile device 12 may be used.

With the use of mobile device 12 a user may be able to select a certain recipe from a list of recipes. The list of recipes may for example be shown on the screen of mobile device 12. Selecting a certain recipe causes server 6 to send instructions to brew the selected beverage to computer 10 of beverage production unit 4. The recipes include instruction to select the correct beverage preparation conditions for the selected beverage. The instructions may be used to update or select or define parameter in software of computer 10. This may include for example, amounts of water and flavouring, mixing time, mixing temperature, brewing conditions such as temperature, pressure etc and maturing time. When the beverage is ready to be dispensed, the mobile device 12 may receive a notification from beverage pro duction unit 4 via server 6. The beverage may then be dispensed, for example from tap 8. Communication between mobile device 12 and module 2 can occur at any suitable sched ule. Data communication between mobile device 12 and module 2 may occur on a need basis such as when mobile device 12 is sending a command to module 2, querying module 2 or when module 2 sends information to mobile device 12. Communication between module 2 and server 6 can occur at any suitable schedule. Com puter 10 may for example gather information using any useful schedule, for example at least IB with a predetermined interval such as as every minute, every hour, daily or weekly, and transfer the information to server 6 for storage in module dataset 13 using any useful sched ule for example at least with a predetermined interval such as every minute, every hour, daily or weekly. Server 6 may query computers 10 in modules 2, or computers 10 may push the information to server 2.

Communication between module 2 and server 6 may also be triggered by various events such as the registration of module 2 in system 1, error messages, steps in the brewing pro cedure, or specific sensor readings etc. The brewing procedure may take several days and the server 6 may be updated on on-going brewing process. Such information may or may not be transferred to mobile device 12, depending on the circumstances.

The system 1 is preferably modular in that it can be expanded in a simple manner by adding further modules 2. The identities of the further modules 2 are then preferably added to the module dataset 13. This may also involve establishing a data communication between the server 6 and the module 2. Hence system 1 may be expanded from having one module 2, to having 2, 3, 4 5 or more modules 2. With reference to Fig. 6, a method for providing a beverage producing system 1 may comprise the following steps. In step 100, a beverage preparation module 2 is transported to a desired location. For example, a truck is used. The location may be outdoors or indoors. The beverage preparation module 2 may be a previ ously unused module 2. The beverage preparation module 2 does not have a data connec tion with server 6 during this step and does not have connection to a water supply or sew age. In step 101 the beverage preparation module 2 is connected to at least a water supply and preferably also a power supply and sewage. This is preferably done using the pre-made ports of module 2 for these utilities. In step 102 a data connection is established between computer 10 of beverage preparation unit and server 6, using data communication device 5. Steps 101 and 102 may be carried out in any order. This method may be carried without mobile device 12, because it may be useful that the module 2 is able to communicate with the server 6 independent of the mobile device 12. For example, the user interface of the computer 10 may be used. The method may comprise the step 103 of registering an identity of the module 2 in the dataset 13 of the server 6. The method may also comprise the step of associating, in the dataset 13, the module 2 with a user account, thereby providing control from mobile device

12. The method may also comprise the step of loading necessary material for producing a beverage and starting a beverage preparation run.

When system 1 comprises a plurality of modules 2 the server 6 may store, in module dataset

13, information about each of the modules 2 with regard to a various parameters relating the operation of modules 2, for example: which recipes have been selected and how many times, running time, date of starting operation, beverage consumption, time point for con sumption, error codes from beverage production unit 4, values from sensor 15 of beverage production unit 4 (such as flow, temperature, pressure or level). Information is associated with the identity of each module 2. Information may be manually entered or automatically harvested from rest of system 1, for example using any useful schedule. Such transfer of data from module 2 to server 6 may be independent of mobile device 12.

Server 6 may apply machine learning to the module dataset 13 to predict any of the follow ing: beverage consumption, system maintenance (such as maintenance, scrapping or sup port of beverage production system 4, including filters, pumps, etc), and beverage distribu- tion. Machine learning may be provided from a separate machine learning provider 22 (such as, for example, Amazon Web Services). Any suitable type of machine learning can be used. For example, a Bayesian network may be used. Data is preferably stored in module dataset 13 to the extent that the decision rule is statistically useful. Hence, a sufficient num ber of datapoints should be collected and analysed by machine learning.

When machine learning is used, the module dataset 13 preferably comprises information about a large number of modules 2, such as for example 10 or more, 20 or more, 50 or more, 100 or more, or 1000 or more. Information is harvested and included in the module dataset 13 to an extent that a statistically reliable decision rule is obtained. In addition, server 6 may gather information from external information supplier such as weather service, news agent, social network services (such as Facebook) or cell network operator about any of the following: weather, gatherings (such as concerts, festivals or sport events), vehicle traffic or other type of traffic, and gather this information in an external event data set 14. External event data set 14 may also be included in the machine learning process. As an example, a music festival occurs in the vicinity of a certain beverage prepa ration module 2 in 3 days from now. Information about this is included in external event dataset 14. This triggers a suggestion for ramping up production of beer in this beverage preparation module 2.

Information is provided to module dataset 13 from each module 2 in system 1, for example by computer 10 in brewing system 4 of each module 2 using wireless communication. Com puter 10 may for example gather information using any useful schedule such as with at least a predetermined time interval such as every minute, every hour, daily or weekly, and trans fer the information to server 6 for storage in module dataset 13 using any useful schedule such as with at least a predetermined time interval such as hourly, daily or weekly. Server 6 may query computers 10 in modules 2, or computers 10 may push the information to server 2.

In a preferred embodiment, module dataset 13 comprises information about failures or error codes in a plurality of modules 2 and is used to create a decision rule (for example by using machine learning) stored in module monitoring software 23 of server 6 that can be used for making a maintenance decision for a certain beverage preparation module 2. Monitoring software 23 may hence be used to monitor a fleet of modules 2 in system 1.

The occurrence of failures or error codes is thereby correlated to other information stored in module dataset 13. Many different parameters in module dataset 13 may be useful for this such as, but not limited to: data from sensor 15, number of brewing sessions, amount of beverage produced, run time, noise, vibration, total flow through beverage production system 4, number of starts and stops, emergency stops, temperature outside or inside container 3, temperature in various parts of beverage production unit 4, pressure in vari ous parts of beverage production unit 4. The maintenance decision may be for example scrapping, service or replacement, or replacing a part, for example a part in beverage preparation unit 4. The decision may be to stop the beverage production unit 4. Certain types of decisions may be taken automatically, such as emergency stopping the beverage production unit 4 of the module 2, or a certain part of beverage production unit 4, such as for example a certain pump. Alternatively, a suggested decision may be flagged to a user.

The maintenance decision may be in relation to any part of module 2, in particular bever age production unit 4. The maintenance decision may for example refer to filters, pumps, valves, heaters, coolers, sensors, stirrers, etc.

As an example, machine learning applied to of module data set 13 reveals that a certain pump breaks down frequently. This information is used to decide that this type of pump in beverage preparation module 2 should be replaced before 1000 hours of operation. This decision rule is stored in module monitoring software 23. However, the decision rule may be regarded as a "black box" and a user of the system 1 may not need to be informed about the 1000-hour limit or any other parameter used by the decision rule of monitoring software 23.

With reference to Fig. 7, a method may comprise the steps of step 200 applying machine learning to module dataset IB, where the module dataset 13 contains information about a plurality of modules 2, to obtain a decision rule.

The decision rule is stored in module monitoring software 23. In optional step 201 server 6 receives data (at least one datapoint) from a computer 10 about operation of an individual module 2, for example a value from a sensor 15. The data in step 201 may also be infor mation about total time of operation (fore example measured in hours) of the module 2, or that a brewing cycle has been started or completed. Any useful information from module 2 may be used. Instep 202, module monitoring software 23 makes a decision about the op eration of an individual module 2, for example of the particular module 2 from which the data was received or applies to, in particular make a decision about maintenance of the module 2. For example, a flag associated with the module 2 in question may be saved in the dataset 13. This may result in the server 6 automatically taking action may include for example alerting a user or automatically stopping the relevant module 2 or a part of module 2. For example, monitoring software 23 detects that a number of brewing cycles has been surpassed for a certain filter in a certain module 2, which is then flagged for replacement by sending an alert message to a user, for example to mobile device 12.

Module monitor software 23 may automatically repeatedly carry out step 201 and 202, such as using any useful schedule such as every minute or every hour or daily.

Server 6 may be provided with a user interface for inspecting and analysing dataset 13. For example, a user of server 6 may look up an individual module 2 to check how it is running. User of server 6 may choose to extract certain data from dataset 13 for analysis. User of server 6 may use the interface to, for example, send commands such as emergency stops, locking module 2, adding module 2 to dataset 13, removing module 2 from dataset 13, sending messages to user of device 12. Messages may also be automatically sent from server 6 to device 12, for example messages regarding maintenance. Messages may also include new recipes 21, that are added to the server 6.

The module 2 may comprise a solar panel 16 or may be connectable to a solar panel 16 for generating electricity. Module 2 may also comprise a battery 17 or be connectable to a bat- tery 17 for storing electric power. The computer 10 may be configured to schedule produc tion or production steps in a certain manner, for example depending on the availability of power. In particular, computer 10 may be configured to schedule production when solar power is available. Alternatively, the computer may be configured to carry out certain steps, in particular heating or cooling, when it is likely that the sun is shining, for example during daytime.

It is understood that the present method is partly computer-implemented, using digital computer equipment. The server 6, the computer 10 and the mobile device 12 may com prise or at least use (run on) conventional computer hardware, in turn comprising a CPU, a RAM memory and a computer bus, and hardware and software for exchanging and storing data, such as a memory. Each of server 6, computer 10 and mobile 12 have computer network interfaces. Each may have input and output means such as a display a mouse or keyboard. Each may have an operating system. Any suitable programming language may be used for the software units described. Data communication in system 1 can comprise any suitable wire bound or wireless network technology such as ethernet, Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, or 5G 5 or Bluetooth.

It is realized that everything which has been described in connection to one embodiment is fully applicable to other embodiments, as compatible. Hence, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but can be varied within the scope of the enclosed claims. w

15

Claims

1. A system (1) comprising at least one beverage preparation module (2) comprising a) a container (S) containing a computer-controlled beverage producing unit (4) for brewing beer, b) a device (5) for wireless data communication based on cellular wireless communi cation, said device (5) being able to be user equipment in a cell network (7), for providing data communication to the computer-controlled beverage producing unit (4), the system (1) further comprising a mobile device (12) for cellular data communication, and a server (6), where the mobile device (12) is configured to provide instructions to the computer-controlled beverage producing unit (4) via the server (6), the cell network (7)and the device (5) for wireless data communication of the beverage preparation module (2).

2. The system of claim 1 where said module (S) is suitable for being placed outdoors,

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2 where the beverage producing unit comprises at least one sensor selected from a flow sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor and a level sensor and the and where system is configured to collect data from the sensor and provide it to the server.

4. The system according to any one of clams 1 to 3 where the container has the dimen sions of standard intermodal shipping container.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising two or more beverage preparation modules.

6. The system according to claim 5 where the server has stored in its memory a module dataset which comprises information about failures or error codes of the plurality of modules, and where the server is configured to use the dataset to create a decision rule for maintenance of the modules.

7 . The system according to claim 6 where the decision rule is created by applying ma chine learning to the module dataset.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 where the data communications de vice (5) has an antenna (9) for connecting to the cell network (7), said antenna being external to the container (3).

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 where walls of the container has thermal insulation.

10. A method for providing a beverage producing system comprising the steps: a) providing at least one beverage preparation module (2), said beverage prepara tion unit comprising a. a container containing a computer-controlled beverage producing unit

(4), b. a device (5) for wireless data communication based on cellular wireless communication said device being able to be user equipment in a cell network (7), for providing data communication to the computer-con- trolled beverage producing unit (4), where said module (3) is suitable for being placed outdoors, b) transporting the at least one beverage preparation module to a desired loca tion, c) connecting the at least one beverage preparation module to at least a water supply, d) establishing a data connection between the beverage preparation module (2) and a server (6) using the device (5) for wireless data connection.

11. The method of claim 10 comprising the step e) of registering an identity of the mod ule (2) in a module dataset (IB) of the server (6).

12. The method of claim 11 comprising the step of, in the dataset (13), granting control of the module (2) to a user that then becomes able to control the module (2) with a mobile device (12).

13. The method of any one of claims 10 to 12 where the computer-controlled beverage producing unit (4) comprises a computer (10) which comprises a user interface and step d) is initiated with he the use of the user interface.