Self-monitoring, intelligent fountain dispenser

Abstract
An intelligent fountain dispenser performs automated control and systems diagnostics in real time. The intelligent fountain dispenser includes a controller in electrical communication with a syrup valve, a water valve, a carbonator valve, a water level sensor, a flowmeter, and an input panel. The intelligent fountain dispenser also includes a dispenser housing and a carbonator tank. Water and carbon dioxide mix in the carbonator tank to produce carbonated water. The carbonator valve supplies water to the carbonator tank in accordance with instructions received from the controller. The controller also instructs the syrup valve and the water valve in the supply of syrup and carbonated water, respectively, to the dispenser housing. The controller provides the instructions to the valves based on information received from the water level sensor, flowmeter, and input panel. The controller performs systems diagnostics by monitoring the voltage drop across current-sensing resistors associated with each of the valves. The controller can also perform system diagnostics based on information supplied by a signature resistor associated with the input panel.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to fountain dispensing machines and, more particularly, to fountain dispensers that incorporate automated control and diagnostics systems for monitoring status and maintaining proper performance.




2. Description of the Background Art




Fountain dispensers are commonly used to provide beverages, both carbonated and non-carbonated, to consumers. As a means of delivering a fresh beverage on demand, fountain dispensers find widespread usage in such places, among others, as restaurants, convenience stores, movie theaters, amusement parks, and grocery stores. Typically, a fountain dispenser delivers a beverage in response to a specific selection made by the recipient. By pushing a particular button or pressing a particular lever, for example, the chosen beverage is drawn from its reservoir, flows through dedicated hosing, and pours through a nozzle and into a cup or other receptacle for consumption. In the case of a carbonated beverage, carbonated water, or soda, flows through its own hosing until it is combined with syrup to form a properly mixed product.




When dispensing a carbonated beverage, the fountain dispenser must mix the soda and given syrup in the correct ratio to achieve a beverage of satisfactory quality. Over time, the actual ratio delivered by the fountain dispenser may drift to levels that result in beverages falling outside specified quality requirements—a condition leading to an undesirable, unintended taste. When this occurs, the ratio must be corrected.




In previously known fountain dispensers, soda-syrup ratios are measured by drawing each component into a graduated cylinder and comparing the respective, actual fluid levels to calibrated levels. To make this measurement, one must first remove the facing and nozzle of the fountain. If the levels depart from the calibrated levels, a technician adjusts the appropriate valve settings until the ratio returns to acceptable levels. Under a cruder approach, the beverage can alternately be taste-tested and the valve settings adjusted, to interactively arrive at a desired, albeit inexact, ratio. At any rate, both methods entail cumbersome, time-consuming maneuvers to measure and correct the soda-syrup ratio.




In addition to delivering the correct soda-syrup ratio, a fountain dispenser must produce and provide carbonated water of sufficiently high quality. To accomplish this, fountain dispensing systems known to the art typically rely upon the activation of a low-level probe within the carbonator tank. When the water level within the tank drops to a certain point, the low-level probe indicates that it is exposed to air rather than water; setting in motion a sequence whereby a valve opens and water fills the tank. This technique, however, introduces inefficiency by requiring that the carbonator tank be large enough to store a static reservoir of water to accommodate unanticipated periods of high pour demand.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an intelligent fountain dispenser that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.




In accordance with the present invention, a fountain dispenser operates in conjunction with an automated control and diagnostics system. The system performs diagnostics in real time, providing the advantage of verifying that the dispenser is performing correctly. In addition, the present invention intelligently recognizes the development of performance problems and, in turn, provides notification of such problems. Notification can come in various forms, including, for example, a beeper alert inside the dispenser, a diagnostic display, or delivery of the information to a remote monitoring system.




The present intelligent fountain dispenser includes a controller, valves for syrup and water, and a carbonator valve. The controller communicates with the valves by way of current-sensing resistors associated with the valves. When a valve is performing correctly, the corresponding current flowing through that valve is normal. Accordingly, the controller recognizes that the sensed valve is operating properly. A malfunctioning valve, conversely, results in an abnormal current, i.e., a current deviating from the normal current, flowing through the current-sensing resistor. In this case, the controller detects the abnormal current and immediately gives notification of a fault condition. Consequently, an operator or technician becomes aware of the problem as soon as it occurs, and repairs can be made at once. With commonly used fountain dispensers, the need for making a repair often becomes apparent only when a consumer has voiced displeasure over the taste of the beverage. This may result in the delivery of any number of sub-standard drinks before the problem is brought to the attention of the owner.




The controller also has the capability to recognize the exact type of consumer interface, including an input panel, employed by the dispenser. In this regard, each type of interface carries with it a unique signature resistor. Thus, for example, the controller can recognize the presence of a single- or multi-flavored nozzle and the particular delivery methodology—e.g., push button, lever, push button and lever, portion control setting, or overfill device—that happens to be installed on the dispenser at a given time. Further, the signature resistor of each interface communicates to the controller the specific valve configuration as well as the type of input panel landscape the consumer sees. Knowledge of the input panel landscape provides another performance check for the fountain dispenser in that the controller can, upon powering-up, check the landscape for occurrences of, among other things, alterations or damage from vandalism, component fatigue, and accidental reconfiguration without the proper steps having been taken. If any undesirable landscape-detectable conditions are present, the controller can then issue the appropriate alert to initiate corrective action.




Another advantage of the present intelligent fountain dispenser comes from facilitated reconfiguration in the field. Toward this end, software embedded in the controller contains the requisite pairings of water and syrup supplies with given delivery switches. With this stored data, the controller can prompt a technician with step-by-step instructions as the dispenser is configured. This ensures that all inputs are properly identified and mapped to the appropriate water and syrup supplies.




The controller of the present invention also can operate in conjunction with a carbonator tank to prevent the introduction of poor quality carbonated water into a beverage. The components involved in this operation include a flowmeter for measuring the amount of carbonated water dispensed, high-level and low-level probes inside the tank for maintaining an adequate supply of water, a carbonator valve for allowing water into the tank, and an input panel that triggers a pour sequence. By monitoring these components, the controller avoids an inefficiency inherent in maintaining the proper water level in known carbonator tanks, namely, activating the carbonator valve to add water into the tank only once the water level dips far enough that the low-level probe is in contact with air rather than water. Instead, the controller, owing to its constant monitoring of the flowmeter and the signals received from the input panel, more precisely recognizes when the water level in the tank is nearing a point that requires replenishment. Thus, the controller can command the carbonator valve to release additional water into the tank before the sinking water level itself reaches a point where the low-level probe is in contact with air rather than water. This provides the advantage of improved drink quality by continually maintaining a higher level of water in the carbonator tank. By keeping the tank more full, the water remains in contact with the CO


2


longer, ensuring higher carbonation levels. This is particularly desirable during periods of high pour demand. By contrast, existing designs allow water in the tank to deplete to such a low level before refilling that there often is inadequate exposure time with the CO


2


during periods of high pour demand.




Moreover, this operation offers a more efficient fill cycle, permitting the use of a smaller carbonator tank. By continually monitoring the water level and maintaining it at an adequate level, the controller of the present invention obviates the need for the customary larger tanks, with their greater static storage capacity designed to account for unanticipated higher draw profiles.




The present invention also provides for automated troubleshooting of the high-level and low-level probes. By communicating with the input panel, flowmeter, and carbonator valve, the controller recognizes when the carbonator tank is full. If the high-level probe does not respond by indicating that the tank is full, the controller signals an alert that the probe is malfunctioning. Similarly, the controller recognizes when the tank is approaching empty. If the low-level probe does not respond by indicating that the tank is almost empty, the controller signals an alert that it is malfunctioning.




Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the system and method particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings.




It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.




The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantages, and principles of the invention. In the drawings,





FIG. 1

is a diagrammatical representation of a system made in accordance with the present invention for an intelligent fountain dispenser;





FIG. 2

is a diagrammatical representation of a single-flavor consumer interface for use with the intelligent fountain dispenser of

FIG. 1

; and





FIG. 3

is a diagrammatical representation of a multi-flavor consumer interface for use with the intelligent fountain dispenser of FIG.


1


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION




Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiment of the intelligent fountain dispenser of the present invention is shown in FIG.


1


and is designated generally by reference numeral


10


.




As embodied herein and referring to

FIG. 1

, the intelligent fountain dispenser


10


includes a water source


12


, a syrup source


14


, a dispenser housing


16


, and a controller


100


, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The water source


12


and the syrup source


14


provide water and beverage syrup, respectively, to the dispenser housing


16


where a beverage is dispensed by a nozzle


18


into a container


19


which then can be removed for consumption.




The water source


12


is in selective fluid communication with a carbonator tank through a conduit


22


. The water source


12


may, for example, include a water distribution system (WDS), a storage tank, a regular water line, a water-in-box (WIB), or a water-in-bag. The fluid flow between the water source


12


and the carbonator tank


20


is controlled by way of a carbonator valve


24


. The carbonator valve


24


is used as a switch to control the fluid flow from the water source


12


to the carbonator tank


20


in accordance with directions received from the controller


100


. The carbonator valve


24


may be any electrically-controlled valve, such as a solenoid or other electromagnetically-actuated valve, a micro-switch or other electronically- or electromechanically-actuated switch, or the like. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carbonator valve


24


comprises a solenoid. The carbonator valve


24


is associated with a current-sensing resistor


26


in electrical communication with the controller


100


.




The carbonator tank


20


is in selective fluid communication with the dispensing nozzle


18


through a conduit


28


. The fluid flow between the carbonator tank


20


and the dispensing nozzle


18


is controlled by a water valve


30


. The water valve


30


functions as a switch to control the fluid flow from the carbonator tank


20


to the dispensing nozzle


18


as directed by the controller


100


. The water valve


30


may be any electrically-controlled valve, such as a solenoid or other electromagnetically-actuated valve, a micro-switch or other electronically- or electromechanically-actuated switch, or the like. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water valve


30


comprises a solenoid. The water valve


30


is associated with a current sensing resistor


32


in electrical communication with the controller


100


.




A flowmeter


34


is positioned along the conduit


28


between the carbonator tank


20


and the water valve


30


. The carbonator tank


20


is also in fluid communication with a carbon dioxide (CO


2


) source


36


. The flowmeter


34


may be any device for determining the amount of carbonated water flowing from the tank


20


. For example, the flowmeter


34


may be a flow-rate meter, a flow control valve, or a timed pour.




As illustrated in

FIG. 1

, the intelligent fountain dispenser


10


includes a water level sensor


38


in electrical communication with the controller


100


. The sensor


38


is used to monitor the water level in the carbonator tank


20


and report the water level conditions to the controller


100


so that the controller


100


can instruct the carbonator valve


24


when to permit water to flow into the carbonator tank


20


.




In the preferred embodiment shown in

FIG. 1

, the water level sensor


38


includes three probes: a high-level probe


40


, a low-level probe


42


, and a reference probe


44


. While the high- and low-level probes


40


,


42


are self-explanatory, the reference probe


44


completes a return electrical path for electrical pulses to travel down the high- and low-level probes


40


,


42


and back to the electronics of the sensor


38


. It should be appreciated that the reference probe


44


may be replaced with any electronic device that completes a return electrical path. For example, in place of the reference probe


44


, the carbonator tank


20


can be grounded, and a ground wire connected to the tank wall could be used to complete the return electrical path.




If a reliably accurate flowmeter


34


is used, either the high-level probe


40


or the low-level probe


42


can be used in combination with the flowmeter


34


to provide information to the controller


100


to maintain the desired water level in the carbonator tank


20


. In this situation, the unused probe could be eliminated. If the low-level probe


42


were eliminated, the reference probe


44


would be unnecessary and could also be eliminated.




The syrup source


14


is in selective fluid communication with the dispensing nozzle


18


through a conduit


46


. A syrup valve


48


controls fluid flow between the syrup source


14


and the dispensing nozzle


18


. The syrup valve


48


acts as a switch to control the fluid flow from the syrup source


14


to the dispensing nozzle


18


as instructed by the controller


100


. The syrup valve


48


may be any electrically-controlled valve, such as a solenoid or other electromagnetically-actuated valve, a micro-switch or other electronically- or electromechanically-actuated switch, or the like. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the syrup valve


48


comprises a solenoid. The syrup valve


48


is associated with a current sensing resistor


50


in electrical communication with the controller


100


.




The intelligent fountain dispenser


10


can include a plurality of syrup sources in selective fluid communication with the dispensing nozzle


18


. Each syrup source could dispense a different beverage type, for example, COCA-COLA CLASSIC, DIET COKE, and SPRITE. In this situation, each syrup source would be associated with a different syrup valve to selectively dispense a desired beverage type. However, all of the syrup valves may be associated with one current sensing resistor


50


. Similarly, the dispenser


10


can include a plurality of water supplies in selective fluid communication with the dispensing nozzle


18


. For example, the water supplies may include carbonated water from the carbonator tank


20


, DASANI spring water from a still water storage vessel (not shown), and/or still water from a storage vessel (not shown) or a water line (not shown). Again, each water supply would be associated with a different water valve but may be associated with one current-sensing resistor


32


.




It should be appreciated that the fluid flow paths between the syrup valves and the dispensing nozzle could be combined to minimize the number of conduits connecting with the nozzle. In the event that a plurality of nozzles is provided, i.e., one associated with each syrup source and syrup valve, the desire to combine flow paths would be obviated. Similarly, the fluid flow paths between the water valves and the dispensing nozzle could be combined.




The intelligent fountain dispenser


10


also includes a consumer interface


62


having an input panel


60


in electrical communication with the controller


100


. The consumer interface


62


, including the input panel


60


, is one of a plurality of consumer interfaces


62


having differing configurations, as illustrated in

FIGS. 2 and 3

. The consumer interfaces


62


can include a single-flavor dispenser


64


(

FIG. 2

) or a multi-flavor dispenser


66


(FIG.


3


), and can employ various valve-actuation methodologies. For example, the valve-actuation technologies for single-flavor dispenser interfaces include single push-button, lever (FIG.


2


), portion control setting, and overfill technology actuators. For multi-flavor interfaces, the actuation technologies include push button (FIG.


3


), push button and lever, portion; control setting, and overfill technology actuators.




Each consumer interface


62


includes a distinct signature resistor


70


identifying the configuration of the interface


62


. When an interface


62


having an input panel


60


is selected, the associated signature resistor


70


is in electrical communication with the controller


100


. Preferably, the consumer interfaces


62


are removably attachable to the dispenser housing


16


. Alternatively, the consumer interfaces


62


may be removably attachable to a structure (not shown) separate from the dispenser housing


16


, while still being in electrical communication with the controller


100


.




In the preferred embodiment of

FIG. 1

, the intelligent fountain dispenser


10


also includes switch drivers


80


and a communication interface


90


, both in electrical communication with the controller


100


. The switch drivers


80


carry out the controller


100


's instructions for operating the carbonator valve


24


, water valve


30


, and syrup valve


38


. In a preferred embodiment, the switch drivers are associated with the current-sensing resistors


26


,


32


,


50


. The communication interface


90


enables the controller


100


to provide a notification to an outlet


92


,


94


pertaining to the operation of the intelligent fountain dispenser


10


.




The communication interface


90


can be configured to communicate with a point-of-sale outlet


92


through any known electrical connection or combination of electrical connections, for example, a serial connection, a local-area-network (LAN), an intranet connection, or the like. The point-of-sale outlet


92


does not need to be immediately adjacent the point-of-sale, i.e., the register. For example, the point-of-sale outlet


92


could be located in a room or area not directly visible from the point-of-sale.




The communication interface


90


can also be configured to communicate with a remotely-located, central monitoring location outlet


94


through any known electrical connection or combination of electrical connections, for example, a wide-area-network (WAN), a local-area-network (LAN), the internet, modem connection, or the like. The remotely-located outlet


94


could be located in a building next door to the point-of-sale or around-the-world from the point-of-sale. For example, the remotely-located outlet


94


could be a regional outlet, a national outlet, or an international outlet.




The outlets


92


,


94


may provide an audible and/or visual message at the point-of-sale and/or the remote location. For example, the outlets


92


,


94


can be sound-emitting devices that produce an audible message and/or diagnostic displays that produce a visual message. The outlets


92


,


94


can also be handheld devices such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) or the like.




By way of example, in operation of a preferred embodiment of the intelligent fountain dispenser, the controller


100


communicates with the carbonator valve


24


, water valve


30


, and syrup valve


48


to control the supply of water to the carbonator tank


20


, the supply of water to the dispensing nozzle


18


, and the supply of syrup to the dispensing nozzle


18


, respectively. The controller


100


also receives information regarding the performance of the valves


24


,


30


,


48


by way of the current-sensing resistors


26


,


32


,


50


associated with the valves


24


,


30


,


48


.




The controller


100


monitors the voltage drop across the current-sensing resistors


26


,


32


,


50


. The voltage drop corresponds to the current draw of the respective valve


24


,


30


,


48


. When a valve


24


,


30


,


48


is performing correctly, the corresponding current flowing through that valve


24


,


30


,


48


is normal. Accordingly, the controller


100


recognizes that the sensed valve


24


,


30


,


48


is operating properly. Conversely, a malfunctioning valve


24


,


30


,


48


results in an abnormal current, i.e., a current deviating from the normal current, flowing through the current-sensing resistor


26


,


32


,


50


. In this case, the controller


100


detects the abnormal current and immediately provides notification of a fault condition. Consequently, an operator or technician becomes aware of the problem as soon as it occurs, and repairs can be made at once.




The controller


100


also communicates with the signature resistor


70


associated with the consumer interface


62


, including the input panel


60


, associated with the intelligent fountain dispenser


10


. The signature resistor


70


of the consumer interface


62


provides information to the controller


100


regarding the specific valve configuration, as well as the type of input panel landscape presented to the consumer. Thus, the controller


100


can recognize the exact type of the consumer interface


62


employed by the dispenser


10


. For example, the controller


100


can recognize the presence of a single- or multi-flavor nozzle


64


,


66


and what particular delivery methodology—e.g., push button, lever, push button and lever, portion control setting, or overfill device—happens to be installed on the dispenser


10


at a given time.




Since the controller


100


obtains this knowledge of the consumer interface landscape, the controller


100


can, upon powering-up, check the landscape for occurrences of, among other things, alterations or damage from vandalism, component fatigue, and accidental reconfiguration without the proper steps having been taken. If any undesirable landscape-detectable conditions are present, the controller


100


can then issue the appropriate alert to initiate corrective action.




In addition, the intelligent fountain dispenser preferably includes software embedded in the controller


100


that contains the requisite pairings of water and syrup supplies with given delivery switches. With this stored data and knowledge of the consumer interface


62


, including the input panel


60


, the controller


100


can prompt a technician with step-by-step instructions as the dispenser


10


is configured to ensure that all inputs are properly identified and mapped to the appropriate water and syrup supplies.




The controller


100


of the preferred embodiment of the present invention also operates in conjunction with the carbonator tank


20


to prevent the introduction of poor quality carbonated water into a beverage. The controller


100


monitors the condition of the high- and low-level probes


40


,


42


of the water level sensor


38


to determine when to activate the carbonator valve


24


to add water into the carbonator tank


20


. The controller


100


also monitors fluid flow through the flowmeter


34


and dispensing requests entered at the input panel


60


of the consumer interface


62


.




Monitoring the condition of the probes


40


,


42


provides the controller


100


with the ability to supply water to the carbonator tank


20


when the water level drops below the low-level probe


42


and to cease the supply of water when the water level rises to the high-level probe


40


. In addition, monitoring the carbonator valve


24


, the flowmeter


34


, embedded in the controller


100


that contains the requisite pairings of water and syrup and the dispensing requests provides the controller


100


with the ability to supply water to the carbonator tank


20


before the water level drops below the low-level probe


42


.




For example, if the carbonator tank has a capacity of 100 ounces of water, the high-level probe


40


may be positioned to detect 88 ounces of water and the low-level probe


42


may be positioned to detect 76 ounces of water. If the carbonator tank


20


is filled to the high-level probe


40


and 10 ounces of water are then supplied to the dispensing nozzle


18


, only 78 ounces of water remain in the carbonator tank


20


. Based solely on the condition of the low-level probe


42


, the controller


100


would not activate the carbonator valve


24


to provide additional water to the tank


20


until the water level dropped below the low-level probe


42


.




However, since the controller


100


monitors the fluid flow through the flowmeter


34


, the carbonator valve


24


, and the beverage requests made at the input panel


60


, the controller


100


can anticipate that the water level will drop below the low-level probe


42


and activate the carbonator valve


24


before the water level reaches the low-level probe


42


. For example, if the carbonator tank


20


contains 78 ounces—two ounces above the low-level probe


42


—and the controller


100


detects a beverage request(s) requiring more than two ounces of water from the carbonator tank


20


, the controller


100


can activate the carbonator valve


24


to supply water to the tank


20


before the water level reaches the low-level probe


42


.




In addition, if the carbonator tank


20


is filled to the high-level probe


40


and the controller


100


detects 13 ounces of fluid flow through the flowmeter


34


, the controller


100


can activate the carbonator valve


24


to provide water to the tank


20


even if the low-level level probe


42


does not signal a low-water-level condition. Further, if the water level reaches the low level probe


42


and the controller


100


activates the valve


24


, the controller


100


can cease the supply of water to the tank


20


after approximately 12 ounces are supplied, even if the high-level probe


40


does not signal a high-water-level condition.




As a result, the carbonator tank


20


is kept more full and the water remains in contact with the CO


2


longer, ensuring higher carbonation levels. This is particularly desirable during periods of high pour demand. Moreover, this operation offers a more efficient fill cycle, permitting the use of a smaller carbonator tank.




The preferred embodiment of the intelligent fountain dispenser also provides for automated troubleshooting of the high-level and low-level probes


40


,


42


. By communicating with the input panel


60


, flowmeter


34


, and carbonator valve


24


, the controller


100


recognizes when the carbonator tank


20


is full by simply keeping track of the water entering and exiting the carbonator tank


20


. The running totals of water entering and exiting the tank are stored in a memory device (not shown) such that the values will be preserved in the event of a power failure. If the high-level probe


40


does not respond by indicating that the tank


20


is full, the controller


100


signals an alert that the high-level probe


40


is malfunctioning. Similarly, the controller


100


recognizes when the water level in the tank


20


is below the low-level probe


42


. If the low-level probe


42


does not respond by indicating a low-level condition, the controller


100


signals an alert that it is malfunctioning.




It should be appreciated that an intelligent fountain dispenser


10


in accordance with the invention may include a plurality of consumer interfaces


62


, and each consumer interface may include one or more input panels


60


. Such a configuration would merely require duplication of the above-described elements of the invention, where necessary.




It also should be appreciated that an intelligent fountain dispenser


10


in accordance with the invention may include a second flowmeter positioned in fluid communication between the water source


12


and the carbonator tank


20


. The second flowmeter could be used to monitor the amount of water flowing into the carbonation tank


20


and, thus, would be in communication with the controller


100


. The second flowmeter may be any device for determining the amount of water entering the tank


20


. For example, the second flowmeter may be a flow-rate meter, a flow control valve, or a timed pour with a controlled water supply.




Further, it should be appreciated that an intelligent fountain dispenser


10


in accordance with the invention may include a still water storage tank in addition to or in place of the carbonator tank


20


described above if the fountain dispenser


10


is used for dispensing non-carbonated beverages. In such case, the still water tank would include elements similar to those associated with the carbonator tank


20


, such as the water level sensor


38


, flowmeter


34


, inlet (carbonation) valve


24


, and water source


12


. Of course, a CO


2


source would not be associated with the still water tank. Flow into and out of the still water tank, as well as water level monitoring of the still water tank, would be conducted as described above with regard to the carbonator tank


20


.




Yet further, it should be appreciated that the water source


12


, if in the form of a storage vessel, could include the elements described above in connection with the carbonator tank


20


, absent the CO


2


source. As a result, flow into and out of the water storage vessel, as well as water level monitoring of the water storage vessel, would be conducted as described above with regard to the carbonator tank


20


.




It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the intelligent fountain dispenser of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment of the invention as set forth herein is intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Further, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention.



Claims
  • 1. An automated fountain dispenser comprising:a carbonator tank where water and carbon dioxide mix to produce carbonated water; a flowmeter in fluid communication with the carbonator tank, the flowmeter being capable of monitoring the output of carbonated water from the carbonator tank; a carbonator valve in fluid communication with the carbonator tank, wherein the carbonator valve regulates the flow of water into the carbonator tank; an input panel for inputting a pour demand of beverage quantities; and a controller, the controller being in electrical communication with the flowmeter, the carbonator valve, and the input panel for coordinating operation thereof.
  • 2. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:a high-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the high-level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined high level; and a low-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the low-level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined low level; wherein the controller can detect the failure of either of the high-level probe or low-level probe by determining whether the probes actually signal when the water level reaches the respective levels that would cause the probes to signal.
  • 3. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 2, further comprising an outlet in electrical communication with the controller, wherein the controller relays an alert signal to the outlet when the at least one of the high-level probe and the low-level probe is not operating properly, and further wherein the outlet produces an alert notification in response.
  • 4. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 3, wherein the outlet is a sound-emitting device, and further wherein the alert notification produced by the sound-emitting device is an audible message.
  • 5. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 3, wherein the outlet is a diagnostic display, and further wherein the alert notification produced by the diagnostic display is a visual message.
  • 6. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 3, wherein the outlet is a remote-monitoring system.
  • 7. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 6, wherein the alert notification produced by the remote-monitoring system is an audible message.
  • 8. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 6, wherein the alert notification produced by the remote-monitoring system is a visual message.
  • 9. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller can maintain the level of water in the carbonator tank at a desired level by monitoring the output of carbonated water and the pour demand, and commanding, as necessary, the carbonator valve to open to allow water into the carbonator tank.
  • 10. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 9, further comprising:a low-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the low-level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined low level.
  • 11. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 10, wherein the controller commands the carbonator valve to open before the level of water reaches the predetermined low level and before the low-level probe can sense and signal that the level of water inside the carbonator tank has reached the predetermined low level.
  • 12. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:a high-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the high level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined high level, wherein the controller can detect failure of the high-level probe by determining whether the probe actually signals when the water level reaches the level that would cause the probe to signal.
  • 13. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:a low-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the low-level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined low level; wherein the controller can detect failure of the low-level probe by determining whether the probe actually signals when the water level reaches the level that would cause the probe to signal.
  • 14. An automated fountain dispenser comprising:a controller; a dispenser housing; a carbonator tank where water and carbon dioxide mix to produce carbonated water; a syrup valve that supplies syrup to the fountain dispenser; a water valve that supplies the carbonated water to the fountain dispenser; a carbonator valve that regulates the supply water to the carbonator tank; a flowmeter in fluid communication with the carbonator tank, the flowmeter being capable of measuring the output of carbonated water from the carbonator tank; and an input panel capable of receiving a pour demand, the input panel selected from a plurality of consumer interfaces of differing configurations, each consumer interface being selectively and removably attachable to the dispenser housing, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with the syrup valve, the water valve, the carbonator valve, the flowmeter, and the input panel.
  • 15. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 14, further comprising at least one current-sensing resistor in association with each of the syrup valve, the water valve, and the carbonator valve,wherein each current-sensing resistor is in electrical communication with the controller.
  • 16. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 14, further comprising a distinct signature resistor in association with each of the plurality of consumer interfaces,wherein the signature resistor can communicate to the controller the particular configuration of the selected consumer interface removably attached to the dispenser housing.
  • 17. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 14, wherein the controller can maintain the level of water in the carbonator tank at a desired level by monitoring the output of carbonated water and the pour demand, and commanding, as necessary, the carbonator valve to open to allow water into the carbonator tank.
  • 18. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 14, further comprising:a high-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the high level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined high level; and a low-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the low level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined low level; wherein the controller can detect the failure of either of the high-level probe or low-level probe by determining whether the probes actually signal when the water level reaches the respective levels that would cause the probes to signal.
  • 19. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 14, wherein the syrup valve, the water valve, and the carbonator valve each include a solenoid.
Parent Case Info

This is a division of application Ser. No. 09/562,315, filed May 1, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,159 which is incorporated herein by reference.

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