Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
TOUCH SCREEN INTERFACE FOR A BEVERAGE DISPENSING
MACHINE
BACKGROUND
[0001] A number of beverage dispenser designs are well known in the art. These
include
carbonated beverage dispensers, non-carbonated beverage dispensers, beverage
brewing
systems, and liquor distribution systems. Many beverage dispenser designs have
separate
nozzles to pour (dispense) different beverages. Some beverage dispensers are
capable of
dispensing a variety of beverages out of a single nozzle.
[0002] Some of these beverage dispensers sometimes have an interface device
(e.g., a key
pad) for the selection of options such as cup size or beverage. Such an
interface device is
usually designed with appropriate beverage options for a particular
establishment (e.g., a
restaurant) and has a set number of keys. Prior to installation, the keys on
the interface device
are assigned to dispense the particular beverages chosen for that
establishment.
[0003] Touch screens have been utilized to control the dispensing of beverages
from these
systems in lieu of key pad input interfaces. Touch screens have vastly
increased the
customizability and ease of use of the beverage dispensing devices described
above, however,
sometimes the touch screens can be less than ideal. Sometimes the touch
screens are placed
in areas where it is difficult for disabled users to reach a portion or all of
the touch screen, but
this location may be more ideal for other users. When providing a regular
touchscreen
beverage dispensing unit, establishments may have to make alternative
accommodations to
disabled persons to meet American Disabilities Act requirements and so
disabled persons can
use the dispenser.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a beverage dispensing device
that also has
accessible features for manipulation of the touch screen making it easier for
all users,
including disabled, to operate the beverage dispensing system.
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-08
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention is related to beverage dispensing ADA
accessibility features,
and more specifically to an operational input interface located within
accessible reach of
disabled user for controlling a touch screen user interface so that both
disabled and non-
disable user can utilize the ease of operation a beverage dispensing system
with a touch screen
interface for dispensing a beverage.
[0006] The invention enables touch screen operation while ensuring applicable
food safety
requirements and access requirements of the ADA are met by including an
additional user
input control on the base of the beverage dispenser that supports a display
device real time
operational input interface compliant with ADA access requirements. Buttons
located within
a key pad allow parallel input means (e.g. via additional touch screen or
buttons) to navigate:
up, down, left, right select or dispense, for user input for dispensing a
beverage.
[0007] In some embodiments, there is described an accessible beverage
dispenser comprising: a base for receiving a beverage container; a tower
extending upward
from the base such that the base supports the tower; a nozzle provided above
the base for
dispensing a beverage based on a user input, wherein the base, the tower and
the nozzle
define a housing for receiving a beverage container; a touch screen for
receiving the user
input for controlling the beverage dispenser, wherein the tower supports the
touch screen; an
accessible key pad panel located within the reach of a user in a wheelchair
for receiving the
user input, wherein the accessible key pad panel is provided on a front
portion of the base
below a bottom of the housing and below a rim of the base, wherein the front
portion of the
base faces outward toward the user in the wheelchair; and an accessible touch
screen panel
displayed in a lower portion of the touch screen and within the reach of the
user in the
wheelchair for receiving the user input, wherein the accessible key pad panel
and the
accessible touch screen panel are configured to communicate with a control
unit to control the
beverage dispenser.
[0008] In some aspects, the ADA access panel is located in a lower portion of
the
touchscreen. In some aspects, the ADA access panel is a key pad located
separate from the
touch screen. In some embodiments, the ADA accessible beverage dispenser also
has a base
2
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-08
for mounting the touch screen and the key pad is located on the base. In some
aspects the base
has a front that faces a user of the beverage dispenser and the key pad is
located on the front
of the base.
[0009] In some embodiments, the ADA access panel is comprised of one or more
buttons.
The one or more buttons can be a right toggle button, a left toggle button and
a selector
button. The one or more buttons can further comprise a beverage dispensing
button. In some
aspects, the key pad is a second touch screen. In some embodiments, the ADA
access panel is
a key pad located separate from the touch screen and a second ADA access panel
is displayed
in a lower portion of the touchscreen simultaneously.
[0010] In some embodiments, there is also provided a control system for a
beverage
dispenser having a housing and a base with touch screen user interface, the
control system
comprising: a touch screen attached to a beverage dispensing end of the
beverage dispenser
for receiving input for controlling the beverage dispenser; an accessible key
pad panel located
on a front portion of the base below a bottom of the housing and below a rim
of the base,
wherein the front portion of the base faces outward toward a user in a
wheelchair such that the
accessible key pad panel is within reach of the user in the wheelchair for
receiving input from
the user; an accessible touch screen panel for receiving input from the user
displayed in a
lower portion of the touch screen and within the reach of the user in the
wheelchair; and a
control unit electrically coupled to the accessible key pad panel and the
accessible touch
screen panel, the control unit configured to: send a first graphical
configuration to the touch
screen for display; receive a first command from one of the touch screen, the
accessible key
pad panel and the accessible touch screen panel; send a second graphical
configuration to the
touch screen for display in response to the first command; receive a second
command from
one of the touch screen, the accessible key pad panel and the accessible touch
screen panel
with respect to the second graphical configuration; and control the beverage
dispenser in
response to the second command.
[0011] In some aspects the first command is derived from receiving a user
touch on the
ADA accessible panel. In some aspects the second command is derived from
receiving a user
3
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-08
selection of one of the selectable beverage choices from the ADA accessible
panel. In some
aspects, the control unit is configured to receive input from various sources.
[0012] For a further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
invention, reference
should be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying
figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures
is provided for the
purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a
definition of the limits of
the embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1A and 1B illustrate front and rear perspective views,
respectively, of a remote
beverage tower with a touch screen interface, that can be integrated with an
ADA enabled
touch screen interface.
[0014] FIG. 1C and 1D illustrate front and rear perspective views,
respectively, of an
integrated beverage tower with a touch screen interface that can be integrated
with an ADA
enabled touch screen interface.
[0015] FIGS. 2(a) ¨ 2(b) shows ADA requirements for the placement of
accessible items to
disabled person depending on the height and width of a particular countertop
or surface.
3a
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-08
CA 02897235 2015-07-13
[0016] FIG. 2(c) shows a typical arrangement for a touch screen on a beverage
dispensing
tower installed on a 34 inch countertop or surface and one way to meet ADA-
requirements.
[0017] FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a control system for the beverage
dispenser of in
accordance with many embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an ADA enabled beverage dispenser, in accordance
with many
embodiments of the present invention and a second way to ADA compliance by
providing
separate electromechanical inputs as an interface.
[0019] FIG. 5A shows the base portion of the beverage dispenser of FIG. 4,
with the
keypad and buttons.
[0020] FIG. 5B shows a front view of the beverage dispenser of FIG. 5A.
[0021] FIG. 5C shows a detail view of FIG. 5B further illustrating the three
buttons of the
key pad.
100221 FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates a control system for an ADA enabled
touch
screen beverage dispenser in accordance with many embodiments of the present
application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The embodiments described herein provide ADA enabled touch screen
controls for
beverage dispensers. Beverage dispensers, which allow an operator to dispense
a number of
different beverages by merely pressing an appropriate button on the dispenser,
have been
around for many years. One exemplary beverage dispensing tower is described in
Assignees
patent application, U.S. Application No. US2011/0315711 Al to Hecht, to which
this
application claims priority. Other similar beverage dispensing devices are
commercially
available from Automatic Bar Controls at www.wunderbar.com.
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention may provide one or more of
advantages
including a more marketable product, increased revenue from sales, and/or
reduced inventory.
For example, an ADA enabled touch screen beverage dispenser conforms with
mandated
ADA requirements, when installed properly. An ADA enable touch screen beverage
dispenser may reduce inventory and costs for an establishment as it may avoid
multiple
4
CA 02897235 2015-07-13
machines or other costly aftermarket adaptations for meeting the ADA
requirements. The
ADA enable touch screen beverage dispenser may also have a wider market appeal
as simply
being accessible to disabled persons, thus allowing a greater number of users
to utilize the
beverage dispensing machine.
[0025] Certain embodiments described herein may provide one or more of the
above
advantages. One or more other advantages may be readily apparent to one
skilled in the art
from the disclosure.
[0026] Touch Screen Control Beverage Dispensers
[0027] FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate views of beverage dispensers, according to
Assignee's prior
application, U.S. Publication No. US2011/0315711 Al to Hecht, identified
above. This
beverage dispenser can be made ADA enabled when utilizing the features of the
present
invention. The beverage dispensers may have remote towers, as shown in FIGS.
1A and 1B,
which are separated from a plurality of beverage dispensing valves.
Alternatively, the
beverage dispensers may have integrated towers, as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D,
which share
a common greater housing with a plurality of beverage dispensing valves.
[0028] The beverage dispensers 1 include touch screens 2 for use as control
panels.
The touch screens 2 are modularly compatible with the beverage dispensing
systems. For
example, these touch screens 2 can be used in lieu of or in conjunction with
other types of
control panels. These touch screens 2 can be electrically coupled to a
controller 26 (shown in
FIG. 3), to provide user inputs thereto.
[0029] Many different types of touch screens 2 may be used in accordance with
the
embodiments described herein. Some examples of touch screens 2 include
resistive,
capacitive, surface acoustic wave, infrared, strain gage (i.e., force panel),
optical, dispersive
signal, acoustic pulse, and coded LCD. Touch screens 2 are generally attached
to a beverage
dispenser housing as shown. Generally, the touch screens 2 should be
compatible with a food
serving environment and be resistant to liquids and common kitchen cleaning
chemicals.
CA 02897235 2015-07-13
[0030] ADA Requirements
100311 FIGS. 2(a) ¨ 2(b) show ADA requirements for the placement of accessible
items to
disabled persons depending on the height and set back on a particular
countertop or surface.
As previously discussed, while touch screens have made beverage dispensers
much more
customizable and user experience for most users much more interactive and
enjoyable,
disabled persons are sometimes limited in using touch screens because of the
placement of the
touch screens on the beverage dispenser tower. As seen in FIG. 2(a) the
maximum height of
an item to be accessed per ADA requirements is 48 inches on a 34 inch high
countertop or
surface when the item is placed at a maximum distance of 10 inches back from
the edge of the
surface. FIG. 2(a) shows the maximum height of an item to be accessed per ADA
requirements is 46 inches on a 34 inch high countertop or surface when the
item is set back at
a maximum distance of farther than 10 inches and at a maximum distance of 24
inches set
back from the front edge of the countertop or surface. FIG. 2(c) shows a
typical
arrangement for a touch screen 2 on a beverage dispensing tower I installed on
a 34 inch
countertop. As seen, only the lower portion of the touch screen is accessible
to a disabled
person per the ADA requirements. Thus, alternatives for accessibility,
described further
below, are desirable so that disabled person can control and dispense a
beverage from a touch
screen beverage dispenser I.
[0032] While various alternatives are described herein, one embodiment
provides for
configurable buttons to be displayed on the lower portion of the touchscreen
within the
reachable region as an ADA accessible portion 2', such that a disabled person
could control
selecting and dispensing a beverage with only the lower portion ADA accessible
portion 2' of
touch screen 2.
[0033] ADA Enabled Touch screen Beverage Dispensers
[0034] FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates an ADA enabled panel for a touch
screen
beverage dispenser 10, in accordance with many embodiments of the present
invention. The
beverage dispenser 10 receives a plurality of beverage fluids from a
corresponding plurality of
supply lines 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. The beverage dispenser 10 includes flow rate
control devices
22, solenoid valves 24, a control unit 26, an ADA accessible key pad 3, touch
screen 2, an
6
CA 02897235 2015-07-13
on/off indicator 32, and a nozzle 36. The beverage dispenser can also include
a diffuser 34, or
other suitable beverage fluid distribution component for distributing beverage
fluid(s)
discharged from the solenoid valves 24 to the nozzle 36.
[0035] The supply lines 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are in fluid communication with
associated
beverage fluid sources. The supply line 12 is in fluid communication with a
water source 38
through a carbonator 40. The carbonator 40 is connected to a source of carbon
dioxide
(CO2) 42 to carbonate the water supplied by the water source 38. The
carbonated water can
be directly supplied to the beverage dispenser 10 via the supply line 12, or
it can be cooled by
a prechiller 42 connected to the carbonator 40. Prechilled carbonated water is
supplied to the
beverage dispenser 10 via the supply line 14. The supply line 16 is in fluid
communication
with the water source 38 through a prechiller 44 and supplies chilled non-
carbonated water to
the beverage dispenser 10. The prechiller 44 can be omitted in some
embodiments so that the
supply line 16 provides water from the water source 38 directly to the
beverage dispenser 10.
The beverage dispenser 10 can also have a heater (not shown).
[0036] The flow rate control devices 22 can include a flow rate control device
coupled with
each of one or more of the supply lines 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. Each flow rate
control device can
be used to control the rate of flow of a beverage fluid communicated by one of
the supply
lines. Each of the flow rate control devices can be an adjustable device (e.g,
an adjustable
valve) configurable to provide a desired flow rate for the beverage fluid.
[0037] The solenoid valves 24 include a solenoid valve for each of the
beverage fluid
supply lines. Each of the solenoid valves 24 can be individually controlled to
control the
discharge of an associated beverage fluid. For example, one solenoid valve can
be opened to
discharge a quantity of carbonated water, and another solenoid valve can be
opened to
discharge an appropriate quantity of beverage additive. The discharged
quantities of
carbonated water and beverage additive can be mixed in the diffuser 34 and
dispensed from
the nozzle 36 as a mixed beverage. The discharged quantities can also be
separately
dispensed from separate discharge ports in the nozzle. Such separate
dispensing may help to
reduce cross contamination between beverage fluids.
7
CA 02897235 2015-07-13
[0038] The solenoid valves 24 are controlled by the control unit 26. The
control unit 26
receives user input from the touch screen 2 and/or the ADA accessible key pad
3 and controls
the solenoid valves to discharge quantities of one or more beverage fluids so
as to dispense a
selected beverage from the nozzle 36. The control unit 26 is also electrically
coupled to the
on/off indicator 32 and controls the on/off indicator 32 to indicate the
on/off status of the
beverage dispenser 10.
[0039] The beverage dispenser 10 is capable of receiving water from the water
source 38,
carbonated water from the carbonator 40, and/or one or more beverage additives
from
beverage additive sources 46, 48. A beverage additive can include flavorings
or syrups such
as, for example, tea flavorings, coffee flavorings, vitamin shots, sweetener
shots, soft drink
syrups, etc. One or more beverage additives can be transferred from the
beverage additive
sources 46, 48 to the beverage dispenser 10 by the supply lines 18, 20 (e. g.
, input tubing).
[0040] Water supplied to the beverage dispenser 10 can be supplied from any
water source
through input tubing. The water and/or the carbonated water can be circulated
through the
prechillers 42, 44 before being supplied to the beverage dispenser 10. The
prechillers 42, 44
can be any suitable device for lowering the temperature of the water and/or
the carbonated
water supplied to the beverage dispenser 10. The prechillers 42, 44 can be
incorporated into
the beverage dispenser 10. The prechillers 42, 44 can be separate devices or
integrated into a
single device.
[0041] The beverage dispenser 10 can be configured to receive non-carbonated
water and/or
carbonated water. In order to receive carbonated water, the water supplied to
the beverage
dispenser 10 can have carbon dioxide (CO2) added to it by the carbonator 40.
The carbonator
40 can be any suitable device that is capable of dissolving carbon dioxide in
water or any
other liquid or aqueous solution. Carbonated water can be supplied directly to
the beverage
dispenser 10 by the carbonator 40 or, alternatively, the carbonated water can
be circulated
through the prechiller 42 before it is supplied to the beverage dispenser 10.
The water can
additionally or alternatively be circulated through the prechil ler 42 before
it is supplied to the
carbonator 40. The carbonator 40 can be incorporated into the beverage
dispenser 10 or,
alternatively, the carbonator 40 can be a separate device. For purposes of
illustration, both
8
CA 02897235 2015-07-13
carbonated water and non-carbonated water are illustrated in FIG. 3 as being
supplied to the
beverage dispenser 10. However, supplying both carbonated and non-carbonated
water is not
required.
[0042] The beverage dispenser 10 can be capable of dispensing one or more
beverage fluids
used to make a beverage. As used herein, a "beverage fluid" refers to any
fluid constituent of
a beverage, for example, a beverage additive, water, carbonated water, various
types of
alcohol, or any other beverage fluid constituent. The beverage dispenser 10
can also be
capable of dispensing a blended beverage by mixing one or more beverage
additives with
non-carbonated water and/or carbonated water. The beverage dispenser 10 can
also be
capable of dispensing a beverage that does not necessarily require mixing. For
example, the
beverage dispenser 10 can be capable of dispensing wine or beer. In addition,
the beverage
dispenser 10 can be capable of dispensing non-carbonated water or carbonated
water.
[0043] Additionally, the beverage dispenser 10 can be capable of dispensing
carbonated
beverages by adding carbon dioxide to a blended beverage or by mixing
carbonated water
with a beverage additive. The beverage dispenser 10 can be implemented to
dispense many
different types of flavorings or beverage additives, flavored beverages, and
blended
beverages. For instance, different tea flavorings can be provided to the
beverage dispenser 10
to create a variety of blended tea beverages. The beverage dispenser 10 can be
used to
dispense various flavorings and beverages, including but not limited to water,
tea, coffee,
juices, energy drinks, vitamin-fortified beverages, high fructose corn syrup
beverages, or diet
beverages.
[0044] The touch screen 28, ADA accessible portion of the touch screen 28',
ADA
accessible control panel 30 and beverage dispenser 10, as diagrammatically
described and
shown in FIG. 3, are synonymous to touch screen 2, ADA accessible portion of
the touch
screen 2', ADA accessible key pad 3 and beverage dispenser 1, as provided
throughout the
rest of the disclosure.
[0045] Touch Screen Operation
[0046] To operate a touch screen for dispensing a beverage like the one
disclosed in
Assignees prior application to Hecht, a user touches the touch screen 2, which
causes a
9
CA 02897235 2015-07-13
command signal to be sent to the control unit 26. In response to the received
command
signal, the control unit sends a new graphical configuration to the touch
screen 2. The new
graphical configuration is a beverage dispensing screen which includes a
plurality of
selectable options. The options may be configured as discernable buttons that
indicate
different kinds of beverages. In some exemplary configurations, eight
discernable buttons are
shown, although more or less may be used depending on the beverages available.
[0047] A "button" with respect to the touch screen 2 is intended to mean a
zone on the
touch screen which is predetermined to respond to a touch by a user. For
example, the
entirety of the touch screen 2 may be considered a button when the sleep mode
is displayed,
while only select portions of the beverage dispensing screen are considered
buttons. Buttons
may be discernable or non-discernable to a user.
[0048] The control unit receives a signal indicating that the user has
selected one of the
discernable buttons for dispensing a type of beverage. The user may select a
desired beverage
type by physically placing a body part, such as a finger, against one of the
discernable
buttons. One embodiment for providing ADA accessibility is to provided ADA
accessible
buttons on an ADA accessible portion 2' on the lower portion of touchscreen 2.
FIG. 4,
described in further detail below, shows this embodiments for providing an
accessible ADA
interface.
[0049] A disabled person cannot always reach the touch screen, or the lower
portion to
provide the necessary physical input to the system, and thus an ADA accessible
key pad,
described and shown in FIG. 4, below, can be provided to allow for further
controls for a
disabled person.
[0050] Examples of ADA Accessible Key Pad
[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary ADA enabled beverage dispenser 1 with
an
accessible key pad 3, according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 4 also
illustrates an
ADA accessible portion 2' of the touch screen 2 in the lower portion of the
touch screen 2,
that can be configured to provide buttons for controlling dispensing of a
beverage within the
reach of a disabled person as illustrated in FIG. 2C. The ADA accessible
portion 2", can be
configured with buttons in the similar way as the rest of the touch screen 2
is configured in
CA 02897235 2015-07-13
that when a user selects configured buttons on the ADA accessible portion 2'
the user can
select and/or dispense a beverage from the beverage dispenser. The configured
buttons within
the ADA accessible portion 2' can include up, down, left right, select and
dispense buttons or
any combination thereof among other buttons and configurations.
[0052] In addition to the touch screen 2, and ADA accessible portion 2' the
beverage
dispenser 1 can have a key pad 3 made up of one or more buttons that are
located so that they
are accessible to disabled persons under the ADA requirements. In this
particular
embodiment, three buttons are shown on the base 5 of the beverage dispenser 1,
near the front
of the base 5 and below the touch screen 2. The buttons are shown equally
spaced and
centered along the base but multiple other configurations for the buttons on
the beverage
dispenser base are possible.
[0053] The beverage dispenser 1 has a base 5 that sits on a countertop or
other suitable
surface. The base 5 supports a tower 6, which supports the touch screen 2. The
tower 5
extends upward and bends forward. At the top of the tower 6 on its under
portion, a nozzle 7
extends downward from the tower 6. he tower 6 and nozzle 7 are configured so
that a
beverage container (not shown) can be placed under the nozzle 7 for dispensing
a beverage
into the container. The touch screen 2 is installed above the nozzle 7 facing
outward towards
a user so the user can read and interact with the touch screen 2 by physically
touching the
touch screen 2.
[0054] A drip pan 8 and screen 9 are located in the base 5 under the nozzle 7
to catch and
collect any overspray or excess beverage that is not dispensed into a beverage
container. An
ADA accessible key pad 3 is arranged on the base front 4 of the beverage
dispenser 1. The
key pad 3 faces outward similar to the touch screen 2 so a user can interact
with and
physically manipulate the key pad 3. In this particular embodiment, the key
pad 3 has three
buttons; a left 11 toggle button, a selector button 13 and a right toggle
button 15. The buttons
are equally spaced apart from each other and are centered on the base front 4,
but the key pad
3 and buttons can be arranged in a variety of different configurations
depending on the
desirability of the establishment utilizing the beverage dispenser 1. The key
pad 3 is located
on the base 5 below the touch screen 2 and within proximity of the surface
that the beverage
11
CA 02897235 2015-07-13
dispenser 1 is installed, placing the buttons within the accessible reach of
disabled persons
and allowing the beverage dispenser 1 to be ADA complaint when proper
installed.
[0055] FIG. 5A shows the base 5 of the beverage dispenser 1 of FIG. 4. FIG. 5B
shows a
front view of the beverage dispenser 1 of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5C shows a detail
view of FIG.
5B. Here, the left toggle button 11, selector button 13 and right toggle
button 15 of the key
pad 3 are seen disposed on the base front 4 in front of drip pan 8.
[0056] A key pad can have an alternative configuration with a left toggle
button then a right
toggle button, followed by a selector button and a beverage dispensing button,
from left to
right.
[0057] An alternative exemplary configuration can also have a left toggle
button then a
selector button followed by a right toggle button, and a beverage dispensing
button, from left
to right. The key pad can also have a flexible cover with button
identification marks that rests
over sensors that act as the buttons. Multiple other configurations for the
buttons on the
beverage dispenser 1 base is possible including use of an additional touch
screen interface in
place of buttons on the base front 4.
[0058] FIG 6 diagrammatically illustrates a control system for an ADA enabled
panel for a
touch screen beverage dispenser 1 in accordance with many embodiments of the
present
invention. The touch screen 2, including the ADA enabled portion 2'. is
electrically coupled
to a controller 26 as provided in FIG. 3. The controller or control unit 26 is
electrically
coupled to the ADA accessible key pad 3 so that input from the ADA accessible
key pad 3
can be communicated to the touch screen 2 via the control unit 26. An
alternative
embodiment is also shown with the dashed line where the ADA accessible key pad
may be
directly electrically communicated to the control unit 26 for dispensing a
beverage, and thus
the control unit can receive input from various sources. The control unit 26
is also electrically
coupled to the solenoid valves and control for dispensing a beverage as
dictated by the inputs
of the ADA accessible key pad 2 and/or the touch screen 2.
CA 02897235 2015-07-13
[0059] ADA Accessible Key Pad Operation
[0060] To operate the ADA accessible key pad 3 for dispensing a beverage like
the one
disclosed herein, a user physically touches one of the buttons on the key pad
3 given the users
selection of options as displayed on the touch screen 2. This causes a command
signal to be
sent to the control unit 26. The control unit can interpret the input received
from the key pad
3 in conjunction with the options displayed on the touch screen 2. In response
to the
received command signal, the control unit can dispense a beverage, if that was
the selected
option, or it may send a new graphical configuration to the touch screen 2.
The new graphical
configuration can be an additional beverage dispensing screen which includes
further options.
[0061] Alternatively, as described in some embodiments and shown in FIG. 6,
the ADA
accessible key pad 3 may send a direct command signal to the control unit 26
and the control
unit 26 can interpret this command without the need of the touch screen 2
information and can
simply dispense a beverage or perform whatever other respective input is
provided by the
ADA accessible key pad 3.
[0062] It should be understood that the present invention as described above
can be
implemented in the form of control logic using computer software in a modular
or integrated
manner. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of
ordinary skill in
the art will know and appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the
present
invention using hardware and a combination of hardware and software.
[0063] Any of the software components or functions described in this
application, may be
implemented as software code to be executed by a processor using any suitable
computer
language such as, for example, Java, C++ or Pen l using, for example,
conventional or object-
oriented techniques. The software code may be stored as a series of
instructions, or
commands on a computer readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM),
a read
only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a floppy disk, or
an optical
medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such computer readable medium may reside on or
within a
single computational apparatus, and may be present on or within different
computational
apparatuses within a system or network.
13
CA 02897235 2015-07-13
[0064] The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. A
recitation of "a", "an"
or "the" is intended to mean "one or more" unless specifically indicated to
the contrary. Many
variations of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon review of the
disclosure. One or more features from any embodiment described herein may be
combined
with one or more features of any other embodiment without departing from the
scope of the
disclosure. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be detemiined not
with reference to
the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the
pending claims
along with their full scope or equivalents
14
