METHOD FOR MONITORING THE FILLING OF A WATER FILTER IN A DRINK Vending Machine

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the filling of a water filter in a beverage vending machine. The invention further relates to a beverage vending machine with a computer system for carrying out the method, and to an arrangement comprising such a beverage vending machine and a server connected thereto for data transmission.

[0002] Vending machines, such as those described in US 11,147,414 B2, and especially fully automatic coffee machines, can be operated with or without built-in water filters. If a water filter is used in / on a water tank, it is installed between the water tank and a downstream water line. This water line may also contain, in the direction of flow, a tank strainer, a water flow meter, and a water pump, particularly a water-carrying oscillating piston pump. The water filter is typically a hollow plastic body partially filled with granules (ion exchange beads and / or activated carbon beads) for water purification. The water filter has its inlet at the bottom and its outlet centrally located within the inlet, separated by a plastic partition. This means that during operation, the water flows from the bottom into the water filter, upwards through the granules, and then back down out of the water filter.Due to the described filter design and the fact that the water filter is dry when new, it is essential to fill it with water before commissioning. This can be done, for example, by holding it under a tap with the inlet and outlet facing upwards, or by immersing it in water and compressing it with your hands so that the air can escape and the water filter is filled with water as completely as possible. A method according to the preamble of claim 1 is also known from US 10,238,233 B2.

[0003] If this is not done, or is done inadequately, two potential sources of error arise during subsequent operation. Firstly, the water flow meter cannot transmit reliable signals if large amounts of air flow through it. The beverage dispenser interprets this as stagnant water flow and triggers an error message. Secondly, the water pump cannot pump anything if there is too much air, as the valve technology (hysteresis) causes compressible media / gases to be pumped insufficiently or unreliably. Since there is no longer any water or media flow, the water flow meter no longer sends signals, and the aforementioned error message is triggered.

[0004] Such an error message might read, for example: "Do not use carbonated water." However, a user may not be able to make much sense of such an error message. If the user removes the water filter and doesn't install a new one, the error message will disappear, but there is at least a medium-term risk of damage to the beverage dispenser. Typically, the user then calls a service hotline, creating further hassle, or even sends the machine to customer service, resulting in additional costs and further avoidable repairs.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for monitoring the filling of a water filter in a beverage vending machine, with which help can be offered to a user quickly and easily when an error message occurs.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The present invention is based on the general concept of monitoring the fill level of a water filter in a vending machine, which triggers an error message, and, if such an error message occurs due to an incompletely filled water filter, providing the user with specific instructions for filling the water filter. In the inventive method for monitoring the fill level of a water filter in a vending machine comprising a computer unit, a detection unit, a display unit, a water flow meter, and a water pump, water is pumped by the water pump and flows through the water flow meter during operation, particularly during normal operation.The monitoring device tracks the water flow through the water flow meter and / or the water pump's delivery rate and sends a first signal to the computer system if the water flow meter measures a flow rate below a predefined first threshold. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring device sends a second signal to the computer system if the water pump delivers a flow rate below a predefined second threshold. The first and / or second thresholds are chosen to reliably indicate that, if they are undershot, there is too much air in the system, suggesting that the water filter is either not filled or not completely filled.Upon receiving the first and / or second signal, the computer system checks whether a water filter replacement program has been started and an error message is displayed, and / or whether the display prompts the user to start the water filter replacement program, but it has not been started, yet the water filter has been replaced and the error message is displayed. After displaying the error message, the computer system then generates a notification that the water filter must be filled with water, particularly before installation. Using the method according to the invention, it is thus easily possible to provide a user with simple assistance, enabling them to correctly replace and fill the water filter step by step, thereby resolving the error message and preventing damage to the beverage dispenser.Ideally, contacting the service hotline or sending the vending machine to customer service can be avoided, thus reducing repairs and direct customer service contact via hotline / dealer, etc. At the same time, customer satisfaction increases, as reliable continued operation can be ensured very easily. Furthermore, users can be trained on how to use the water filter, ensuring reliable operation in the long term. This also raises awareness among users about the importance of not simply removing the water filter after receiving an error message and not replacing it.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the computer system outputs the message via the display device. This allows the user, for example, to be offered a visually unambiguous message precisely where the user would normally receive information from the vending machine or operate it. The user therefore does not have to adapt to a new way of using the machine, which is convenient.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment, the computer system transmits the notification via a communication device to a server or a mobile device. Transmitting the notification to an external device, such as a server or a smartphone, also makes it possible, for example, to centrally manage and maintain multiple vending machines (for drinks or coffee) using the server. Transmitting the notification to a mobile device, such as a tablet or a smartphone, makes it possible to inform a user about relevant error messages or notifications regardless of the device's location.

[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the server evaluates the information from all beverage vending machines communicating with it. This allows for statistical analyses, which can be used to improve the beverage vending machines for further development. Furthermore, systemic errors, particularly production errors, can be detected and corrected, thereby improving the overall quality of the beverage vending machines.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the notification is displayed as a link to a help page on the internet and / or to an instructional video. This provides the user with direct, concrete assistance, for example, via a help page on the internet or an explanatory video. Such videos, which are tailored to the respective device type, can provide a relatively simple and easily followable step-by-step explanation for filling or replacing the water filter. This not only leads to high customer satisfaction, as it gives the user or customer the opportunity to resolve the problem themselves, but also typically reduces the need for repairs, such as sending the vending machine to a service center.This not only significantly reduces the number of repairs, but also prevents the user from simply removing the water filter to fix a problem, without installing a new one.

[0012] The present invention is further based on the general concept of providing a beverage vending machine comprising a water filter, a detection device, a display device, a water flow meter, a water pump, and a computer unit, wherein the computer unit is configured to perform the method described in the preceding paragraphs for monitoring the filling of the water filter. Such a beverage vending machine can, for example, be designed as a fully automatic coffee machine. These types of fully automatic coffee machines are now widely used in the consumer sector, i.e., in private homes, where improved assistance in the event of error messages offers a particularly significant advantage.With the beverage vending machine according to the invention, it is for the first time possible to display a corresponding message to the user when an error message occurs due to an incompletely filled water filter, indicating that the water filter must be completely filled with water before installation. This allows a user, even without technical knowledge, to replace the water filter themselves and put the beverage vending machine back into operation after the replacement, without the user being confused by the error message generated due to an insufficient water level in the water filter, or to require repairs, such as unnecessarily sending the beverage vending machine to a service center or calling a service hotline.Furthermore, the beverage vending machine according to the invention can achieve increased customer satisfaction for the respective user, since the inventive method executed by the computer system enables the user to resolve the error message themselves by following the instructions. Such self-resolution of problems also increases customer loyalty to the respective beverage vending machine.

[0013] The invention further relates to a computer program product which contains instructions readable by a computer system, such that the computer system executes the aforementioned inventive method when executing the computer program product. The advantages of the inventive method explained above thus also apply to the inventive computer program product.

[0014] The present invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a beverage vending machine described in the preceding paragraphs and a server connected to the beverage vending machine for data transmission, enabling the exchange of data concerning the filling of the water filter between the beverage vending machine and the server. Such an arrangement offers the significant advantage that error messages occurring in individual beverage vending machines can be centrally stored and processed on the server, thereby making systemic errors easier to identify and correct through statistical analysis. Furthermore, the arrangement according to the invention may also include a mobile device, such as a smartphone, connected to the beverage vending machine and / or the server for data transmission, so that the message generated by the beverage vending machine's computer system can also be displayed on this mobile device.

[0015] In general, it is also conceivable that the inventive method or the inventive computer program product is not executed in the beverage vending machine itself, but in the mobile device described above, for example, a smartphone or tablet. Implementation of the inventive method on a server is also conceivable, which would allow for centralized maintenance and significantly simplified updates of the respective computer program product on the server.

[0016] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0017] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0018] A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail in the following description.

[0019] They show, schematically: Fig. 1 an arrangement according to the invention with a beverage vending machine according to the invention, Fig. 2 a flowchart to illustrate a method according to the invention for monitoring the filling of a water filter.

[0020] According to the Fig. 1 An arrangement 1 according to the invention comprises a beverage vending machine 2 according to the invention and a server 3, which is connected to the beverage vending machine 2 and / or to a communication device 4 in a data-transmitting manner. The communication device 4 can, for example, be configured as a WLAN module. The arrangement 1 according to the invention can also include a mobile device 5, for example, a smartphone or a tablet.

[0021] The beverage vending machine 2 according to the invention, which can, for example, be designed as a fully automatic coffee machine, has a water tank 6, a water filter 7, a water flow meter 8, a water pump 9, a computer unit 10, a detection device 11, and a display unit 12. The computer unit 10 can be used to control the selection of the desired beverages. Fig. 2 The methods shown according to the invention for monitoring the filling of the water filter 7 are carried out.

[0022] In general, the beverage vending machine 2 according to the invention can be operated with or without a water filter 7, whereby operation without a water filter 7 can lead to long-term damage to the beverage vending machine 2 and should therefore be avoided.

[0023] Water filter 7, for example, is a hollow plastic body partially filled with granules (ion exchange beads and activated carbon beads) for water treatment. Its inlet is located at the bottom, and its outlet is positioned eccentrically within the inlet, separated by a plastic partition. This means that during operation, water flows from the bottom into water filter 7, upwards through the granules, and then back out of the filter 7. Due to this design and the fact that water filter 7 is dry when new, it is necessary to fill it with water after replacement. This can be done by holding it under a tap with the inlet and outlet facing upwards, or by immersing it in water and compressing it to allow air to escape and water to flow in, ensuring the filter 7 is as completely filled as possible.If this procedure is performed incompletely, it may happen, for example, that the water flow meter 8 does not measure any flow or that the water pump 9 only pumps air and no water, thereby generating error messages.

[0024] The in Fig. 2 The described method according to the invention is intended to provide a user with assistance in independently remedying this described source of error.

[0025] In operating condition, water is pumped by the water pump 9 and flows through the water flow meter 8, as shown in the flow diagram according to the Fig. 2 This is designated as process step A. The process according to the invention begins here.

[0026] In process step B, the detection device 11 now records the water flow through the water flow meter 8 and / or the water delivery rate of the water pump 9 and sends a first signal 13 to the computer unit 10 if the water flow meter 8 measures a water flow that is below a predefined first limit value, thus indicating air in the system. Additionally or alternatively, the detection device 11 sends a second signal 14 to the computer unit 10 if the water pump 9 delivers a water delivery rate that is below a predefined second limit value, which also indicates that the water pump 9 is at least partially pumping air.

[0027] Upon receiving the first signal 13 and / or the second signal 14 in process step C, the computer unit 10 checks whether a water filter replacement program has been started and whether an error message is displayed via the display unit 12. Additionally or alternatively, upon receiving the first signal 13 and / or the second signal 14 in process step C, the computer unit 10 checks whether the display unit 12 is prompting the user to start the water filter replacement program, but the program has not started, yet the water filter 7 has been replaced and the error message is displayed via the display unit 12. In process step D, after the error message is displayed, the computer unit 10 generates a message indicating that the water filter 7 must be filled with water before installation.

[0028] The computer unit 10 can issue the notification via the display unit 12, for example, in writing or audibly. Additionally or alternatively, it is also conceivable that the computer unit 10 transmits the notification via the communication unit 4 to the server 3 and / or to the mobile device 5, in particular a smartphone.

[0029] The inventive method thus makes it comparatively easy to provide users with instructions that enable them to resolve the issue themselves by correctly replacing and filling the water filter 7 step by step, thereby resolving the error message and, in particular, preventing damage to the beverage dispenser 2. Furthermore, this eliminates the need to contact a service hotline or send the beverage dispenser 2 to customer service, thus reducing the number of repairs. Since the user is offered not only instructions but also a successful repair if they follow them correctly, customer satisfaction can also be increased. A further advantage of the inventive method is that it prevents the beverage dispenser 2 from being operated without a water filter 7, which could potentially lead to damage.

[0030] According to the Fig. 1Only a single beverage vending machine 2 is depicted here, although it is of course conceivable that the server 3 could be communicating with a large number of such beverage vending machines 2 and thus be able to evaluate the information from all beverage vending machines 2 connected to it. This would allow, for example, a production error or a systemic error in general to be detected more easily and appropriate countermeasures to be taken.

[0031] The information provided to the user after the error message is displayed can, for example, be a link to a help page on the internet and / or to an instructional video. This makes it possible to offer the user a simple visual and audio step-by-step explanation of how to correctly fill the water filter 7.

[0032] The method according to the invention can be technically implemented in the form of a computer program product, which, for example, receives instructions readable or executable by the computer unit 10, such that the computer unit 10 executes the method according to the invention described above when executing the computer program product. The computer program product according to the invention can be executed in the vending machine 2 or its computer unit 10, or alternatively in the mobile device 5 or the server 3.

Claims

1. Method for monitoring a filling of a water filter (7) in an automatic beverage machine (2) having a computer facility (10), a capture facility (11), a display facility (12), a water flowmeter (8) and a water pump (9), in which - water is conveyed by the water pump (9) and flows through the water flowmeter (8), - the capture facility (11) captures the water flow rate through the water flowmeter (8) and / or an amount of water conveyed by the water pump (9) and transmits a first signal (13) to the computer facility (10), provided that the water flowmeter (8) measures a water flow rate that lies below a predefined first limit value, and / or transmits a second signal (14) to the computer facility (10), provided that the water pump (9) conveys a conveyed amount of water that lies below a predefined second limit value, characterised by the further steps, according to which - on receipt of the first signal (13) and / or the second signal (14), the computer facility (10) checks whether a water filter swap program has been started and an error message is displayed via the display facility (12), and / or on receipt of the first signal (13) and / or the second signal (14), the computer facility (10) checks whether a request to start the water filter swap program has been displayed via the display facility (12), but it has not been started but the water filter (7) has been swapped, and the error message is displayed via the display facility (12), - after the error message has been displayed, the computer facility (10) generates a notice that the water filter (7) must be filled with water before installation.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the computer facility (10) outputs the notice via the display facility (12).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the computer facility (10) transmits the notice to a server (3) or to a mobile device (5) via a communication facility (4).

4. Method according to claim 3, characterised in that the server (3) evaluates the notices of all automatic beverage machines (1) that communicate with it.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the notice is output as a link to a help page on the Internet and / or to an instruction video.

6. Automatic beverage machine (2) with a water filter (7), a capture facility (11), a display facility (12), a water flowmeter (8), a water pump (9) and a computer facility (10), which is embodied in such a manner that it can make the automatic beverage machine (2) carry out the method for monitoring a filling of the water filter (7) according to one of the preceding claims.

7. Automatic beverage machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the automatic beverage machine (2) is embodied as a fully automatic coffee machine.

8. Automatic beverage machine according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the automatic beverage machine (2) has a communication facility (4) that is embodied as a WLAN module.

9. Computer program product, which contains instructions that can be read by a computer system, in such a manner that when the computer program product is executed the computer system makes an automatic beverage machine according to one of claims 6-8 carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 5.

10. Arrangement (1), - with an automatic beverage machine (2) according to claim 6 or 7, - with a server (3), which is connected to the automatic beverage machine (2) such that it can transfer data or transfers data, meaning that data relating to the filling of the water filter (7) with water is exchanged between the automatic beverage machine (2) and the server (3).