Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 0220~i67~i l997-06-30
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BEVERAGE D~ ;N~lN~ SYSTEM FOR A BAR
The present application is a division of the Canadian
application No. 2,135,904 filed on June 7, 1993.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for controlling
the dispensing of beverages in a bar. The invention relates
further to a non-contact coding device working in a magnetic
field for use with a liquor bottle stopper and electromagnetic
valve system, and a system for dispensing bottles in a bar.
Background of the Invention
Beverage dispenser coding devices are known in the art. US
patent 3,920,149 (Fortino et al.) describes a liquor bottle
stopper and electromagnetic valve system which has three metal
bands on the spout of the stopper whose presence can be
detected by use of three detector coils, when the activator
coil is energized. This system allows detection of up to seven
different kinds of liquor.
In the prior art systems, it is difficult to efficiently
detect a large number of different bottles.
Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the invention to provide a beverage
dispenser coding device which is able to encode a large number
of different unique objects which can be quickly and
efficiently detected in the presence of a magnetic field. It is
a further object of the invention to provide such a device at
a low cost.
According to the invention, there is further provided a
beverage dispenser coding device for use with a magnetically
activated bottle stopper valve. The device comprises a primary
inductance coil provided on an activator coil unit for use in
opening the stopper valve, a secondary inductance coil provided
on the stopper valve, rectifier means connected to the
secondary coil for rectifying and regulating current generated
in the secondary coil, serial identifier circuit means
connected to the rectifier means for making a pattern of
impedance changes in the secondary coil, the pattern being a
serial bit pattern representing an identification number, an
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oscillator connected to the primary coil, and demodulator and
decoder means connected to the primary coil for detecting and
decoding the pattern to obtain the identification number.
Preferably, the circuit means, the rectifier means and the
5 secondary coil are provided on a printed circuit board. The
rectifier means may comprise a diode bridge and a voltage
regulator .
According to the invention, there is also provided a
beverage dispenser coding device for use with a magnetically
10 activated bottle stopper valve. The device comprises a
plurality of Hall effect transducers provided on a base of an
activator coil unit for use in opening the stopper valve, a
plurality of metal peg receiving means provided on the stopper
valve to be proximate the transducers when said activator coil
15 unit is placed on the stopper valve, alignment means for
aligning the transducers with respect to the peg receiving
means in a predetermined position, and decoder means for
reading the transducers when the activator coil is energized to
determine whether a metal peg is present in the corresponding
20 metal peg receiving means and thereby to obtain a binary
encoded identification number.
Preferably, the transducers are Hall effect microswitches.
The alignment means may comprise a wedge shaped tongue and
notch arrangement provided on the activator coil unit and the
25 stopper valve. The device may also comprise one extra Hall
effect microswitch on the activator coil unit and one extra
corresponding metal peg receiving means provided with an extra
metal peg on the stopper valve. The extra metal peg is given a
different permeability with respect to the extra Hall effect
30 microswitch such that it can be used by timing for determining
a position of the extra metal peg. The transducers may be eight
in number (excluding the extra one), such that the
identification number is between 1 and 255.
E3rief De~cription o~ the Drawing~
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the system according to the
preferred embodiment;
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Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a magnetic field detection
circuit used to detect the presence of a tampering magnet,
which can be used to open an electromagnetic valve bottle
stopper;
Fig 3 is a perspective view of the bottle dispenser
according to the preferred embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the device according to the
preferred embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the device according to
another embodiment of the invention.
Detailed De~cription of the Preferred Embodiment
In the preferred embodiment, the system for controlling
the dispenqing of beverages in a bar comprises a central
control means (16) which cooperates with the plurality of
individual manually operated beverage dispensers (14a) (14b)
and (14c) for metering and dispensing a plurality of beverages
upon command by a user. As dispensers (14) are used, the
control means (16) are provided with information concerning how
much of each beverage is dispensed . The beer and wine f low
meters (14a) measure the amount of beer or wine dispensed from
the various beer and wine taps of the bar system. Similarly,
the soda flow meters (14b) are connected to each soda supply
line for each kind of soda to measure dispensation. The hard
liquor dispensers (14c) comprise hard liquor measuring means
(22) and a coded bottle stopper electromagnetic valve activator
coil (24) . A coded bottle stopper electromagnetic valve system
and activator coil are known in the art from US patent
3,920,149. Each bottle of hard liquor is provided with a
bottle stopper having therein a magnetically activated valve
which is normally closed to prevent pouring of the hard liquor.
Coding means are also provided on the stopper to identify the
bottle. An activator coil (24) is placed over the coded bottle
stopper, and then the coil stopper and bottle are all inverted
to pour the hard liquor. The measuring means (22) then cause
the activator coil (24) to open the electromagnetic valve and
do so for a predetermined period of time such that the
predetermined quantity to be measured is poured from the bottle
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of hard liquor. Measuring means (22) feed back to control
means (16) how much liquor has been poured from which bottle as
identified by the coded stopper~ As can be understood, the
above-described system can be used to dispense beer, wine, soda
and hard liquor at the bartender's command while the control
means (16) can be used for measuring the quantities of
beverages dispensed. The control means (16) can also be used
to measure exact amounts of beer, wine and soda to be measured
by adding to flow meters (14a) and (14b) solenoid valves which
stop the flow of beer, wine and soda once a predetermined
amount of beverage has been dispensed as measured by the f low
meters .
Selecting means (10) are provided for selecting a beverage
mix whose various component beverages dispensable f rom
dispensers (14) are determined and measured for dispensation by
control means (16) in collaboration with the dispensers (14) .
A given mixed drink may be selected by pressing one of the keys
(12) on a key pad of the selecting means (10) . If the mixed
beverage selected should be a wine spritzer, a preselected
amount, such as 3.5 ounces, of wine and soda respectively will
be dispensed from dispensers (14a) and (14b) . Selecting means
(10) will inform control means (16) of the appropriate amounts
to be dispensed and control means (16) will control dispensers
(14a) and (14b) to carry out the appropriate dispensations.
Meanwhile, i~dicators (18a) and (18b) will indicate that a
preselected amount will be di.spensed by dispensers (14a) and
(14b) respectively, and that to dispense from the dispensers a
different measurement would require resetting of the selecting
means (10) . In the preferred embodiment, the indicators
(18a) (b) and (c) comprise LED's fixed proximate the controls
for each of the dispensers (14) . Thus, in the case of a wine
spritzer, the white wine tap of dispensers (14a) will be set to
measure 3.5 ounces before stopping. Indicator (18a) fixed
proximate the white wine tap will flash to indicate tllat a
preprogammed amount will be dispensed. Once the appropriate
amount of wine has been dispensed into a glass, the bartender
then picks up the soda gun of dispensers (14b) to which a LED
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indicator (18b) is attached. The indicator (18b) would be
flashing to indicate that a predetermined measured amount will
be dispensed. The bartender presses the soda water button
until the flow is stopped and the glass is filled. Once the
5 predetermined amounts are dispensed from dispensers (14a) and
(14b), the indicators (18a) and (18b) respectively will be
reset to their normal state.
In another example, if a mixed drink such as a Harvey
Wallbanger is selected using selecting means (10), the control
10 means (16) will control dispensers (14c) to measure the correct
amounts of vodka and Galiano (trademark) liquor to make up the
mixed beverage with a L~ ~;n;ng amount of orange juice. When
the coil (24) is placed on top of the coded bottle stopper of
either the Galiano or vodka bottles, the control means (16)
5 recognize that one of the bottles for making up a selected mix
is ready for use, and causes indicator (18c) to flash. Once
the measuring means (22) determine that the selected quantities
of each hard liquor has been dispensed, the activator coils are
caused to close the electromagnetic valves and stop pouring.
20 The glass containing the appropriately measured quantities of
vodka and Galiano is then filled with orange juice either from
a dispenser similar to dispensers (14a) and (14b) (not shown)
or by pouring from an ordinary juice container. Calculating
means (20) keep track of the total value of beverages dispensed
25 for accounting purposes in the bar. As can be understood, in
the case that a wine spritzer is sold at the same price as a
glass of wine, the two drinks containing different amounts of
wine, then the calculating means (20) will rely on information
provided by the selecting means (10) to adjust the value per
30 volume rates for the various beverages depending on its
application .
In the preferred embodiment, there is also provided user
identification means (26) and (26 ' ) which may optionally be
implemented to prevent unauthorized dispensation of beverages
35 and to identify which bartender has dispensed beverages. Once
the user has identified himself by means (26) and (26 ' ),
control means (16) may pass this information on to calculating
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means (20) in order to keep separate tabs on the total value of
beverages dispensed. The means (26) and (26 ' ) may comprise a
key actuated switch or a security code entry keypad. In the
case of a bar in which the bartender is responsible for his or
her own cash, the calculating means will indicate whether each
bartender has collected an amount of cash commensurate with the
value of the beverages dispensed.
In the preferred embodiment, a display (28) is also
provided which can be used to display a list of beverage
ingredients making up the beverage mix selected by the
selecting means (10) so that the bartender knows in advance
what ingredients are required. Printer (32) may be used to
print up bills and to produce reports on the value of beverages
dispensed determined by the calculating means. Inventory
control and inventory reports may also be generated by printer
(29) . A bottle dispenser (30) is also provided so that
inventory and sales control for all beverages sold by the bar
can be accounted for by the control means (16) and the
calculat ing means ( 2 0 ) .
The calculating means also act as a cash register in
combination with the selecting means (10) and the printer (29) .
All items for sale at the bar (even snacks and cigarettes) are
assigned a key (12) on the means (10), and the sale is
displayed on display (28). When a receipt is required, printer
(29) is used ~o print up the required detailed receipt.
Referring to Fig. 2, the system can be used with a magnet
detection circuit (45) which comprises a detecting coil (40),
an amplifier (42) and a comparator (44) which outputs a signal
when the amplified signal from the coil rises above a threshold
reference voltage. Any movement of a magnet in the vicinity of
coil (40) will generate a signal sufficient to cause an output
from comparator (44) . The output signal is fed to the control
means (16) which carries out two kinds of monitoring of the
output signal of the circuit (45) . First, if the movement of a
magnet is detected when the coil (24) is not activated (see
Fig . 1 ), then a tamper alarm is generated . Such would be the
case if a small permanent magnet were to be used to open one of
CA 0220~i67~i l997-06-30
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the coded bottle stopper electromagnetic valves ln order to
pour a drink while bypassing the control means. Secondly, it is
optionally possible to check that an output signal is indeed
produced by circuit (45) each time the activator coil (2~) is
5 energized, in order to make sure that the coil (40) has not
been tampered with. Advantageously, the coil (40) is mounted
out of sight in close proximity to the activator coil (24)
under a bar counter on which the hard liquor measuring means
(22) and the activator coil (24) are mounted.
As shown in Fig. 3, rack (30) comprises a pair of rails
(31) which have on the inside a blade for supporting a ring-
like protrusion (33) of bottle (32). A bracket (34) is used to
mount the rack (30) to an underside of a shelf of a
refrigeration unit not shown. The space between rails (31) and
the clearance between rails (31) and the refrigerator shelf are
made adjustable by bracket (34), such that a bottle (32) of a
given size and shape (determined by the brand) can be slid
along the rails (31) .
Turnstile means (35) are mounted on one rail (35) as shown
such that each time the bottle (32) is slid onto rails (31),
the means (35) are rotated by one position. With each rotation,
a cam (41) attached to the turnstile (35) moves a lever (39) of
switch (37) in one direction. Each time a bottle (32) is
removed from rack (30), the turnstile (35) rotates in an
opposite dire~tion one position, and the cam (41) acts on lever
(39) to push switch (37) in the opposite direction. As the
switch (37) is activated and released each time the turnstile
(3s) rotates by one position, signals are generated to indicate
whether a bottle (32) has been placed on or removed from the
rack (30) .
Although not shown in Fig. 3, rack (30) is to be provided
with a stop at its far end to prevent removal of bottles
therefrom. This stop is usually provided by the rear wall of
the refrigerator unit.
3s The turnstile means (35) are shown to be mounted on one of
the rails (31), however, it is possible to mount means (35)
elsewhere, such as centrally between the rails (31) rotating
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about a horizontal axis, so long as the means (35) are rotated
as the bottle is slid onto and off the rails (31) .
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in
Fig. 4, a small printed circuit board is provided on a
magnetically activated bottle stopper valve. The printed
circuit board has a secondary coil (44) on its upper surface,
and a microelectronic diode bridge and voltage regulator
circuit (42 ) mounted on the underside of the board . Also
mounted on the underside is an integrated 48 bit serial number
identifier circuit (40) . Circuit (40) when powered will vary
its impedance from 500kQ to 5kS~ in a serial transmission
fashion to give out its 48 bit serial number code.
The printed circuit board can be mounted on a shoulder of
a conventional magnetically activated bottle stopper valve, and
thus can be ring shaped. The conventional stopper valve is
described in US patent 3,920,149. A primary coil (46) is
provided on a base of an activator coil unit (not shown) such
that when the activator coil unit is placed on the stopper
valve, the two coils (44) and (46) form a transformer unit.
A microcontroller (52) gives a signal to a high frequency
oscillator (48) to generate a high frequency signal driving
coil (46) . As the power received by coil (44) is rectified and
regulated by means (42), the identifier circuit (40) begins
changing the impedance serially and this time varying change in
impedance affects the impedance of coil (44) which is
detectable on coil (46) . The change of impedance of coil (44)
is transmitted through coil (46) and then demodulated and
decoded by circuit (50) . The resulting identification serial
number is passed to microcontroller (52) which then outputs the
identification number on output (54) . Output (54) can be used
by a bar control system to know exactly which bottle is being
used. This information is used for inventory purposes.
In the preferred embodiment, the circuit (40) is a DS2400
by Dallas.
In the other embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig.
5, the activator coil unit (60) has a coil (58) whose magnetic
field serves to open the magnetic valve of the stopper (not
CA 0220~i67~i l997-06-30
_g_
shown) . In the base of unit (60), nine Hall effect
microswitches (68) are provided evenly spaced around its
circumference. The stopper (62) is provided with metal peg
receiving means (64) which are arranged on a ring like upper
5 surface of the stopper such that when unit (60) sitff on stopper
(62), the microswitches (68) overlie the means (64) . Nine
alignment notches (72) are provided in the base of the unit
(60) and nine corresponding wedge like tabs (70) are provided
on the stopper (62), such that the unit (60) will rest on the
10 stopper (62) in any one of nine given positions. The unit (60)
i8 simply placed on the stopper (62) and rotated a few degrees
until the notches (72) mate with the tabs (70) .
A first one of the receiving means (64) (the extra one,
labelled as ' 0 ' ) is always provided with a metal peg (66), and
15 this metal peg is raised more than the other pegs (66) such
that the microswitch (68) located over the 'O'peg (66) will
change state first when coil (58) is energized to open the
valve of the stopper (62) . The position of the ' 0 ' peg (66)
being known, the position and orientation of the other eight
20 receiving means also become known. Thus the decoding means (65)
quickly establish the presence or absence of pegs (66) in each
of the means (64), and the i.d. code of the stopper is easily
determined. The Hall effect switches (68) will remain open as
the magnetic field of coil (58) is increased over a 50 ms time
25 ramp by act,ivator circuit (56) in the absence of a
corresponding metal peg (66), and will close in the presence of
the corresponding metal peg (66) . The eight states of the
presence/absence of the metal pegs (66) provide the eight bit
identifier code for the stopper (62) . The code output (54) is
30 generated by decoder (65) . The Hall effect microswitches are
UGN-3140 by Sprague. The ~O~ peg (66) can be replaced by a
magnet to put the corresponding switch (68) in its active
state .
Of course, it is possible to provide only one notch and
35 groove arrangement such that there is only one alignment
position in which the unit (60) mates with the stopper (62). In
this case, the extra metal peg (66) and microswitch (68) are
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not required as the positional arrangement will be inherently
known .
Although the decoding can take place as coil (58) is
energized to open the stopper valve, it is also possible to
5 check the code while energi~ing coil (58) so as to close the
stopper valve (by reverse current), prior to allowing
dispensat ion .
