TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a beverage dispenser and systems therefor. Aspects
of the invention relate to a beverage dispenser controller, a beverage sensor, and
a control system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is known to provide beverage dispensers that have a customer facing element, such
as a visual display, that changes when a beverage is being poured.
[0003] Pouring of a beverage is normally determined by measuring a beverage flow in a beverage
line by a sensor that extends into the fluid flow. This is not feasible in all circumstances,
for example where it is required to pass cleaning fluid containing particles or small
pieces of foam, referred to as a pellet cleaner, through the line. These pellets can
become stuck on such flow sensors and block the line.
[0004] It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages
associated with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a beverage dispenser controller,
a control system for a beverage dispenser and a beverage dispenser, as claimed in
the appended claims.
[0006] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a beverage dispenser controller
for a beverage dispenser having a first sensory mode and a second sensory mode, said
first and second sensory modes being different, the beverage dispenser controller
comprising one or more electronic controllers configured to: identify the voltage
at a +volt output terminal thereof; output a signal to a beverage dispenser to cause
it to operate in the first sensory mode if the voltage at the +volt output terminal
is identified as a first voltage; output a signal to a beverage dispenser to cause
it to operate in the second sensory mode if the voltage at the +volt output terminal
is identified as a second voltage, said second voltage being lower than said first
voltage; and wherein the beverage dispenser controller identifies a constant low voltage
as the second voltage and identifies a pulsed voltage at the +volt output terminal
as the second voltage.
[0007] It is an advantage of the beverage dispenser controller of the invention that it
can be utilised with two different types of sensors, a standard inline flow sensor
as described above, and the sensor as used in the control system described hereinbelow.
This gives the advantage that the controller is backwardly compatible with systems
having the known type of flow sensor as well, i.e. it will perform in the same manner
irrespective of which type of sensor it is connected to.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a control system for
controlling a beverage dispenser having a first sensory mode and a second sensory
mode. The control system comprises a sensor configured to detect if a handle of the
dispenser has been moved from a closed position to an open position, and to control
a sensor output mode in dependence thereon, and a beverage dispenser controller configured
to identify the sensor output mode and operative to output a control signal to cause
the beverage dispenser to change from operating in the first sensory mode to operating
in the second sensory mode in dependence on the identified sensor output mode. A two-wire
interface is provided between the sensor and the beverage dispenser controller. The
sensor comprises a tilt sensor having a +volt terminal and a 0 volt terminal. The
sensor has a first sensor output mode in which there is a positive continuous voltage
at the +volt terminal and a second sensor output mode in which there is a pulsed positive
voltage at the +volt terminal. The beverage dispenser controller may be as described
above.
[0009] Preferably the beverage dispenser controller performs a debounce operation on the
+volt terminal and identifies a pulsed positive signal as a 0V or low volt signal.
It will be understood that the term pulsed positive signal refers to a positive signal
whose value changes, either to 0V or to a different positive volt than its steady
state voltage.
[0010] Preferably the beverage dispenser controller comprises a +volt resistive terminal
and a 0V terminal, and the 2-wire interface is connected thereto.
[0011] A system of the invention therefore provides a control system that avoids the use
of flow intrusive flow sensing methods to change between sensory modes, yet which
is backwards compatible so as to also be able to operate to receive a signal from
a system already having a flow sensor of the known type. It will be appreciated that,
as used herein the term "flow sensor" is used to also mean "flow switch", i.e., a
device that changes its output signal in response to a flow, or lack thereof, of a
fluid past it.
[0012] In one arrangement the sensor comprises: a sensor electronic circuit having a sensor
input terminal for connection to the +volt terminal, a sensor output terminal for
connection to the 0 volt terminal, an accelerometer, a sensor microcontroller, and
a capacitor, said capacitor being charged by the +volt terminal. An inlet switch may
be provided between the sensor input terminal and a positive side of the capacitor,
and an outlet switch may be provided between the sensor input terminal and the sensor
output terminal. Preferably, in this arrangement, when the sensor is tilted past a
threshold angle the sensor microcontroller causes the switches to periodically cycle
between a first configuration in which the inlet switch is in a closed position and
the outlet switch is in an open position, and a second configuration in which the
inlet switch is in an open position and the outlet switch is in a closed position
such that the voltage at the sensor output terminal periodically drops to zero, or
substantially zero.
[0013] Preferably when the sensor angle is less than the threshold angle the switches are
in the first configuration. In this manner the capacitor is charged when the sensor
is not tilted past the threshold angle (i.e. when the switches are in the first configuration),
and when the switches are inverted as a result of the threshold angle being reached,
or passed, (i.e. the switches are in the second configuration), discharge current
from the capacitor powers the sensor microcontroller while the sensor microcontroller
is disconnected from the sensor inlet terminal.
[0014] The duration of the second configuration is preferably less than 10ms. This enables
the discharge current from the capacitor to power the sensor microcontroller for the
duration of the second configuration.
[0015] Preferably, when the sensor is tilted past the threshold angle, within each periodic
cycle the duration of the first configuration exceeds the duration of the second configuration.
This ensures that the charge time of the capacitor exceeds the discharge time. The
duration of the first configuration may be in excess of 50ms, or in excess of 70ms.
Optionally the first period of the cycle may be 80ms and the duration of the second
configuration may be 8ms.
[0016] Optionally, when the sensor is tilted past the threshold angle the frequency of the
periodic cycle or the duration of the first and/or second configuration within each
cycle is varied in dependence on the tilt angle. Optionally, when the sensor is tilted
past a further threshold angle, the frequency of the of the periodic cycle, or the
duration of the first or second configuration within each cycle is changed. The further
threshold angle may be an angle which is greater than the threshold angle, or may
be an angle in an angle in an opposite direction from the threshold angle (relative
to the closed position). In this manner different positions of the handle may be determined,
for example a closed position, a slow pour position and a fast pour position may be
determined, of a closed position a normal dispense position and a creamer dispense
position may be determined.
[0017] In one embodiment of the invention the control system may further comprise a calibration
means for the sensor, the calibration means configured to detect an external influence
thereon and to set the current position of the sensor to a zero-tilt refence position
in dependence thereon. This has the benefit that exact alignment of the sensor on
the handle is not required, and that the same system may be utilised in beverage dispensers
where the closed, i.e. not dispensing, position of the handle is orientated at different
angles.
[0018] The external influence may be a magnetic field and the sensor electronic circuit
may further comprise one of a reed swich, a hall effect sensor or a MEMS magnetic
field sensor for detecting the magnetic field. Preferably the calibration means sets
the current position of the sensor to a zero-tilt refence position when the external
influence has been detected, optionally for a time period exceeding a threshold value.
It will be appreciated that the calibration means may be a software function within
the sensor microcontroller.
[0019] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a beverage dispenser
having: a handle to start or stop a flow of beverage; a sensory interface operable
in a first sensory mode and a second sensory mode; and a beverage dispenser controller,
or a control system, as described above.
[0020] The sensory interface may comprise a display. The first sensory mode may be a first
visual display output and the second mode may be a second, different, visual display
output. Alternatively, or in addition, the sensory interface may be a speaker. An
audible output of the speaker may be different in the first sensory mode and the second
sensory mode. In this manner a visual output of the dispenser or a sound generated
by the dispenser may be varied when a beverage is being dispensed.
[0021] Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects,
embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the
claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual
features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments
and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless
such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally
filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally
filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although
not originally claimed in that manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example
only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a representation of a beverage dispenser of the invention;
Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a control system of the invention;
Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a sensor used in the invention;
and
Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the sensor used in the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] A beverage dispenser 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figure 1. The beverage dispenser
depicted is typical of a countertop draft beverage font, often found in a bar, and
which is used for dispensing draft beer or cider. It will be appreciated that the
present invention is not limited to this type of beverage dispenser and is equally
applicable to dispensers of differing designs and for use with other beverages.
[0024] The dispenser 10 has a base 12 by which it is attached to a countertop 14, either
by clamping or other means of connection, for example screwing or bolting. A column
16 extends generally upwards form the base and supports a tap 18 through which, in
use, the beverage is dispensed. In a font of the design depicted the tap 18 would
normally be located to extend towards the service side of the counter 14. On the other
side of the column 16, and usually facing towards the customer side of the counter
14, is a sensory interface 20.
[0025] The sensory interface 20 is intended to provide sensory information to a customer
and in the example shown comprises a display. The display may be an electronic display,
i.e. a screen, on which visual imagery is shown. Alternatively, it may be a representation
of a beverage, for example a liquid with bubbles passing therethrough. Other types
of visual displays will be apparent. In addition, or alternatively, other types of
sensory interface 20 may be used. In one example the font may include an audible output,
such as a speaker for transmitting sound. In another example the sensory interface
may comprise a lighting arrangement in or on the font that changes, e.g. in brightness,
colour and/or sequence, in dependence on the sensory mode. Although depicted at the
top of the column 16 and facing away from the tap 18, it will be appreciated that
the sensory interface 20 may be positioned elsewhere on the dispenser 10 and in any
orientation.
[0026] The dispenser 10 has a tap handle 22 which is rotatable about a pivot 24 as depicted
by arrow "A". When in the vertical position, as depicted, the tap 18 is closed and
no beverage is dispensed. When the tap handle 22 is rotated in the direction shown
by arrow "A", the tap 18 opens and beverage is dispensed from the end 26 of the tap
18. The tap handle 22 includes a tilt sensor 28, which is described in more detail
below. When the tap handle 22 has been rotated the tilt sensor 28 detects the rotation
and changes an output mode of the sensor. In this manner the tilt sensor 28 detects
if a tap handle 22 of the dispenser has been moved from a closed position to an open
position. The tilt sensor 28 is connected to a beverage dispenser controller 30 by
a two-wire cable 32. The beverage dispenser controller 30 identifies the change in
the sensor output mode and is operative to change the output of the sensory interface
20 from operating in the first sensory mode to operating in the second sensory mode
in dependence thereon. As such the sensory interface 20 changes operating mode when
a beverage is being dispensed, based on movement of the tap handle 22. It will be
appreciated that the angle by which the tap handle 22 needs to be rotated to open
the tap 18 is a matter of design choice. Some known taps, for example, require a tilt
angle of 15 degrees, whereas some other known taps require a tilt angle of 90 degrees.
It will be appreciated that the tap 18 described herein is given as an example only
and the invention is equally applicable to other tap designs, irrespective of the
required tilt angle to open the tap 18. In addition, although the tap handle 22 in
the example embodiment is shown as being substantially vertical when closed, it will
be appreciated that the tap could have any initial position, for example the invention
is equally applicable to taps having a horizontal or inclined angle tap handle position
when closed.
[0027] The first and second sensory modes are different from each other and may be any suitable
modes. For example, where the sensory interface is a screen the image on the screen
may change. For example, a picture on the screen may change, the colours of an image
may change, or an image may become animated in a different manner. Where the sensory
interface 20 provides a visual representation of a beverage, the visual representation
may be changed to give the impression that the beverage is flowing, for example a
speed or volume of bubbles flowing in the visual representation may be changed. Other
changes in the sensory mode such as alternative visual changes and/or changes in audible
output will be understood by the skilled person.
[0028] Referring now to Figure 2 a schematic diagram of a control system of the invention
is shown. A beverage dispenser controller 30 is connected to a tilt sensor 28 by a
two-wire interface 34A, 34B that is attached to a +V terminal 36 and a 0V terminal
38 of the beverage dispenser controller. The tilt sensor 28 has a +V terminal 40 and
a 0V terminal 42, to which the two-wire interface connects. Within the beverage dispenser
controller 30, the +V terminal 36 is connected to a low voltage power supply via a
series resistor 44, and to an input terminal of a microcontroller 46. The low power
voltage supply in the example embodiment is in the range of 3V-3.6V, for example a
nominal supply voltage of 3.3V, and the resistor is a 470-ohm resistor, but it will
be appreciated other low voltage power supplies and resistors may be used. The microcontroller
46 identifies the output mode of the tilt sensor 28 and controls the sensory mode
of the sensory interface 20 in dependence thereon. Depending on the sensory interface
20 used, the output 47 from the microcontroller 46 may pass through a sensory interface
controller 48 that controls the operation of the sensory interface 20. Although the
sensory interface controller 48 is depicted as a separate controller it may optionally
be integrated into beverage dispenser controller 30 or into the sensory interface
20. If, for example, the sensory interface 20 is a display screen, the output 47 of
the beverage dispenser controller may go to a graphics controller and switch between
a first graphic or animation being displayed on the screen and a second graphic or
animation being displayed on the screen.
[0029] Referring also now to Figure 3, a schematic of a tilt sensor 28 used in the invention
is shown. The tilt sensor 28 has a small circuit board having a +V terminal 40, a
0V terminal 42, a sensor microcontroller 52, an accelerometer 54, a capacitor 58,
an inlet switch 60, and an outlet switch 62. The accelerometer 54 is a 3-axis MEMS
accelerometer, however it will be appreciated that alternatively other accelerometers,
for example a 2-axis accelerometer, may be used.
[0030] The sensor microcontroller 52 communicates with, or receives signals from, the accelerometer
54, and determines if the accelerometer has been tilted from its rest position, which
is its position when the tap handle 22 is in the fully closed position, by an angle
of more than or equal to a predetermined open threshold limit. The open threshold
limit is an angle which is indicative that that the tap 18 is open, i.e. beverage
is being dispensed. The open threshold limit may be different for different designs
of tap 18 as, depending on the exact tap design, the tap handle 22 angle at which
the beverage dispenses may vary. In one example the open threshold limit may be 10
degrees. The sensor microcontroller 52 outputs signals to the inlet switch 60 and
to the outlet switch 62. When the tap handle 22 is in its rest position, i.e. the
tap handle 22 is not moved past the open threshold limit, the inlet switch 60 is in
a closed position and the outlet switch is in an open position. In this configuration
power is provided to the sensor microcontroller 52 and the accelerometer 54 from the
+V terminal of the sensor. In this configuration power is also provided to the +V
side of the capacitor causing it to store charge. The inlet switch 60 may be a normally
closed switch so that when the dispenser is not in use, i.e. when the tap handle 22
is not tilted past the open threshold limit, no power is consumed to maintain it in
the closed state. The outlet switch 62 may be a normally open switch so that when
the dispenser is not in use, i.e. when the tap handle 22 is not tilted past the open
threshold limit, no power is consumed to maintain it in the open position. As a beverage
dispenser is generally idle for significantly longer than it is in use this minimises
power consumption between beverages being dispensed. In this configuration the microcontroller
46 will detect a constant positive voltage at +V terminal 36. The microcontroller
46 interprets the constant positive voltage at +V terminal 36 as indicative that the
sensory interface 20 is to be operative in a first sensory mode.
[0031] When the sensor microcontroller 52 determines that the accelerometer 54 has been
tilted beyond the open threshold limit, it outputs pulsed signals to the inlet switch
60 and the outlet swich 62 to simultaneously change their states back and forth, i.e.
to cycle, 180 degrees out of phase with each other, between their open and closed
positions. Therefore, when the tap handle 22 is detected as being tilted to or past
the open threshold limit the sensor microcontroller 52 causes the switches to periodically
cycle between a first configuration in which the inlet switch is in a closed position
and the outlet switch is in an open position, and a second configuration in which
the inlet switch is in an open position and the outlet switch is in a closed position.
[0032] When the inlet switch 60 opens and the outlet switch 62 closes, a short is created
between the sensor +V terminal 40 and the sensor 0V terminal 42, and the sensor microcontroller
52 and accelerometer 54 are isolated from the +V terminal 40. While isolated, the
capacitor 58 discharges current to the sensor microcontroller 52 and the accelerometer
54 to power them until the sensor microcontroller 52 reverts the states of the inlet
switch 60 to the closed position and the outlet switch 62 to the open position, where
once again the sensor microcontroller 52 and the accelerometer 54 receive power from
the +V terminal 40, and the capacitor is recharged. The sensor microcontroller 52
continues to control the states of the switches 60, 62 back and forth until it detects
that the accelerometer 54 is tilted at an angle equal to or less than a closed threshold
limit, upon which it returns the inlet switch 60 to its (normally) closed position
and returns the outlet switch 62 to its (normally) open position. The closed threshold
limit may be the same angle as the open threshold limit, however preferably the closed
threshold limit is less than the open threshold limit, for example the closed threshold
limit may be 2 degrees, or as much as 5 degrees, less than the open threshold limit.
This provides a tilt hysteresis and prevents the sensory interface 20, which may be
a display screen, flickering between the first sensory mode and the second sensory
mode if the tap handle 22 is retained in a position at or very close to the open threshold
limit.
[0033] The sensor microcontroller 52 controls the periodic cycling of the inlet switch 60
and the outlet switch 62 such that the switches are maintained in their first configuration
for a longer period of time than they are maintained in their second configuration,
i.e. the duration of the first configuration in each cycle period exceeds the duration
of the second configuration. The duration of the second configuration within the periodic
cycle may be limited to a period of less than 10ms and the duration of the first configuration
may be in excess of 50ms. In an example embodiment the switches are maintained in
their second configuration for 8ms of a cycle time of 80ms, however it will be appreciated
other timings may be used. The short duration of the second configuration ensures
that the capacitor 58 does not fully discharge prior to the sensor microcontroller
52 reverting the switches 60, 62 to the first configuration, and the longer duration
of the first configuration ensures that the capacitor 58 has sufficient time to charge
prior to the next cycle.
[0034] The result of the periodic cycling of the switches when the tap handle 22 is detected
as being tilted to, or past, the open threshold limit is that the tilt sensor 28 is
shorted to 0V so that when the switches 60, 62 are in their second configuration the
voltage sensed by the microcontroller 46 at the +V terminal 36 is periodically reduced
to 0, so that a pulsed signal is detected. The tilt sensor 28 therefore has a first
sensor output mode in which there is a positive continuous voltage at the +volt terminal
and a second sensor output mode in which there is a pulsed positive voltage at the
+volt terminal.
[0035] The microcontroller 46 is configured, either via hardware, firmware or software,
to perform a debounce operation on the signal it receives from the +V terminal 36.
The microcontroller 46 then identifies a pulsed positive signal as a 0V or low volt
signal. In this manner the microcontroller 46 can distinguish between a non-dispensing
state of the dispenser (when the tap handle 22 has not been tilted past the open threshold
limit) by identifying a +V high signal at the +V controller terminal 36, and a dispensing
state of the dispenser 10 (when the tap handle 22 has been tilted past the open threshold
limit) by identifying a 0V or low volt signal from the pulsed 0V.
[0036] As described above, the microcontroller 46 identifies the output mode of the tilt
sensor 28 and controls the sensory mode of the sensory interface 20 in dependence
thereon, i.e. the output 47 from the microcontroller 46 changes the sensory mode of
the sensory interface 20 dependant on the tap handle 22 angle as determined by the
tilt sensor 28.
[0037] In one embodiment the sensor microcontroller 52 determines if the accelerometer 54
has been tilted past a fast dispense threshold angle, which is a further threshold
angle being greater than the open threshold angle. When it is detected that the accelerometer
54 has been tilted past the fast dispense threshold angle, the frequency of the of
the periodic cycle, or the duration of the first or second configuration within each
cycle is changed. The microcontroller 46 performs processing on the signal, e.g. a
debounce operation, in a manner that differentiates between the pulsed voltage associated
with the open threshold angle and the pulsed voltage associated with the fast dispense
threshold angle. For example, the microcontroller 46 may identify the pulsed voltage
associated with the open threshold angle as a 0V signal and identify the pulsed voltage
associated with the fast dispense threshold angle as a low V signal. In this manner
three states of the tilt sensor 28 can be determined. In this embodiment the microcontroller
46 controls the sensory interface 20 between a first sensory mode, a second sensory
mode and a third sensory mode, in dependence on the three sensor states. Signal debounce
processes are known to those skilled in the art and accordingly are not described
further herein.
[0038] Referring now to Figure 4 a second embodiment of the tilt sensor 28a is shown. This
embodiment is identical to that shown in Figure 3 and operates as described hereinabove,
except that it has the additional features described below. The tilt sensor 28a additionally
has a calibration means 64 that is configured to detect an external influence thereon.
The calibration means 64 is connected to the sensor microcontroller 52 which detects
the presence of the external influence and sets the current position of the sensor
to a zero-tilt refence position in dependence thereon. In the example embodiment the
calibration means 64 is a hall effect sensor which detects a magnetic field. It will
be appreciated that a magnetic field may be detected by other types of sensors such
as a reed swich or a MEMS magnetic field sensor. The sensor microcontroller 52 detects
the presence of the magnetic field, based on the output from the hall effect sensor
and, when the magnetic field has been detected for a time period that exceeds a threshold
time period, sets the current tilt angle to the zero-tilt reference position. The
threshold time period may be in the range of a few seconds. Optionally a visual indicator,
for example a small light or LED 66 may be provided on the tilt sensor 28a. The sensor
microcontroller 52 may be configured to cause the LED 66 to be illuminated, or to
flash, when the threshold period has been exceeded. In this manner the operator knows
that the zero-tilt reference position has been set and that they can remove the magnet.
It will be appreciated that by "zero-tilt reference position" what is meant is the
base position from which the tilt sensor 28a detects a tilt angle, and from which
the open threshold angle must be exceeded. The calibration function has the benefits
that the zero position can be quickly and easily set by an unskilled worker when the
beverage dispenser is installed in situ, and where the installation position may not
be vertical, or completely vertical. For example, if the tap handle 22 is in an orientation
other than completely vertical, the calibration after installation allows the sensory
mode of the sensory interface 20 to always change when the tap handle 22 has been
moved through an intended angle, irrespective of the angle at which it was installed.
[0039] It will be appreciated that although the embodiment described above relates to a
beverage dispenser with a tap handle 22 that moves in one direction from upright,
beverage dispensers are known in which movement of the tap handle 22 in two or more
directions from the zero-reference position will dispense a beverage. It will be appreciated
that the tilt sensor 28, 28a described above may detect a tilt angle past the open
threshold angle in any direction, i.e. the changing from the first sensory mode to
the second sensory mode may be the result of the tap handle 22 having been moved past
a threshold angle any direction. It will be appreciated that by using a 3-axis MEMS
accelerometer the sensor microcontroller 52 can determine the tilt angle in any direction
from a known starting point. It will be appreciated that for beverage dispensers that
dispense a beverage when the tap handle 22 is moved in two opposite directions from
a closed tap position, the tilt sensor 29 may be configured to detect a tilt angle
past the open threshold position in either direction. It will also be appreciated
that some known beverage fonts dispense in a different manner in dependence on the
direction of tilt of the tap handle 22. In some embodiments the tap 18 may dispense
beverage in a normal flow operation when the tap handle 22 is tilted in a first direction,
e.g. towards the user, and dispense in a creaming action, in which the beverage is
passed through a flow path designed to induce gas break out resulting in a froth or
foam (often referred to as a "head" in beer products) being dispensed, when the tap
handle 22 is tilted in the other direction (e.g. away from the user). In such an example
the tilt sensor 28 may alter the output signal, as described hereinabove in relation
to the fast dispense threshold, so as to differentiate between a normal flow dispense
and a creaming action dispense. In such an arrangement the microcontroller 46 can
control the sensory interface 20 between the first sensory mode, the second sensory
mode and a third sensory mode, in dependence on the detected state (tap closed, normal
dispense and creaming action).
[0040] It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the
present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.
1. A beverage dispenser controller for a beverage dispenser having a first sensory mode
and a second sensory mode, said first and second sensory modes being different, the
beverage dispenser controller comprising one or more electronic controllers configured
to:
identify the voltage at a +volt output terminal thereof
if the voltage at the +volt output terminal is identified as a first voltage to output
a signal to a beverage dispenser to cause it to operate in the first sensory mode;
if the voltage at the +volt output terminal is identified as a second voltage to output
a signal to a beverage dispenser to cause it to operate in the second sensory mode,
said second voltage being lower than said first voltage; wherein
the beverage dispenser controller identifies a constant low voltage as the second
voltage and identifies a pulsed voltage at the +volt output terminal as a low voltage.
2. A control system for controlling a beverage dispenser having a first sensory mode
and a second sensory mode, the control system comprising:
a sensor configured to detect if a handle of the dispenser has been moved from a closed
position to an open position and to control a sensor output mode in dependence thereon;
a beverage dispenser controller according to claim 1 the beverage dispenser controller
configured to identify the sensor output mode and operative to output a control signal
to cause the beverage dispenser to change from operating in the first sensory mode
to operating in the second sensory mode in dependence thereon; and
a two-wire interface between the sensor and the beverage dispenser controller; wherein:
the sensor comprises a tilt sensor having a +volt terminal and a 0 volt terminal,
the sensor having a first sensor output mode in which there is a positive continuous
voltage at the +volt terminal and a second sensor output mode in which there is a
pulsed positive voltage at the +volt terminal.
3. A beverage dispenser controller according to claim 1 or a control system according
to claim 2, wherein the beverage dispenser controller is configured to perform a debounce
operation on the +volt terminal and to identify a pulsed positive signal as a 0V or
low volt signal.
4. A control system according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the beverage dispenser controller
comprises a +volt resistive terminal and a 0V terminal, and wherein the 2-wire interface
is connected thereto.
5. A control system according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the sensor comprises:
a sensor electronic circuit having a sensor input terminal for connection to the +volt
terminal, a sensor output terminal for connection to the 0 volt terminal, an accelerometer,
a sensor microcontroller, and a capacitor, said capacitor being charged by the +volt
terminal.
6. A control system according to claim 5 wherein the sensor electronic circuit further
comprises an inlet switch between the sensor input terminal and a positive side of
the capacitor.
7. A control system according to claim 6 wherein the sensor electronic circuit further
comprises an outlet switch between the sensor input terminal and the sensor output
terminal.
8. A control system according to claim 7 wherein, when the sensor is tilted past a threshold
angle the sensor microcontroller causes the switches to periodically cycle between
a first configuration in which the inlet switch is in a closed position and the outlet
switch is in an open position, and a second configuration in which the inlet switch
is in an open position and the outlet switch is in a closed position such that the
voltage at sensor inlet terminal periodically drops substantially to zero.
9. A control system according to claim 8 wherein:
when the sensor angle is less than the threshold angle the switches are in the first
configuration; and/or
the duration of the second configuration is less than 10ms; and/or
when the sensor is tilted past the threshold angle, the duration of the first configuration
within each periodic cycle exceeds the duration of the second configuration; and/or
when the sensor is tilted past the threshold angle the frequency of the periodic cycle,
or the duration of the first and/or second configuration within each cycle, is varied
in dependence on the tilt angle; and/or
when the sensor is tilted past a second threshold angle, the frequency of the of the
periodic cycle, or the duration of the first or second configuration within each cycle
is changed, optionally the further threshold angle being greater than the threshold
angle or in an opposite direction from the threshold angle or optionally the further
threshold angle is an angle in an opposite direction from the threshold angle.
10. A control system according to any one of claims 2 to 9 further comprising calibration
means for the sensor, the calibration means configured to detect an external influence
thereon and to set a current position of the sensor to a zero-tilt refence position
in dependence thereon.
11. A control system according to claim 10 wherein the external influence is a magnetic
field.
12. A control system according to claim 11 and claim 5 wherein the sensor electronic circuit
further comprises one of a reed swich, a hall effect sensor or a MEMS magnetic field
sensor, for detecting said magnetic field.
13. A control system according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the calibration means
sets the current position of the sensor to a zero-tilt refence position when the external
influence has been detected for a time period exceeding a threshold value.
14. A beverage dispenser having a handle to start or stop a flow of beverage, a sensory
interface operable in a first sensory mode and a second sensory mode, and either a
beverage dispenser controller according to claim 1 or a control system according to
any one of claims 2 to 13.
15. A beverage dispenser according to claim 14 wherein:
the sensory interface comprises a display, the first sensory mode comprises a first
visual display output, and the second mode comprises a second, different, visual display
output; and/or
the sensory interface comprises a speaker, and an audible output of the speaker is
different in the first sensory mode and the second sensory mode.