Frosty mist measurement method

Abstract

To provide a frosty mist measuring method capable of measuring frosty mist efficiently with high accuracy.SOLUTION: A frosty mist measuring method for measuring frosty mist generated in a boundary part between liquid and foam of a sparkling beverage comprises the step of: pouring a sparkling beverage into a beverage container; imaging the sparkling beverage poured into the beverage container with a camera; acquiring luminance data E1 indicating a relation between a displacement D and luminance in a region extending from foam to the liquid of an image of the sparkling beverage that is acquired by imaging; and measuring the frosty mist from two inflection points P1, P2 of the luminance data E1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a frosty mist measurement method for measuring frosty mist in sparkling beverages. [Background technology]

[0002] Various methods for measuring the foam in sparkling drinks have been known. JP 2021-113786 A describes a beverage scoring system that scores sparkling drinks. The beverage scoring system scores sparkling drinks using an image of the sparkling drink taken by a mobile information terminal.

[0003] The beverage scoring system includes a receiving unit, an image processing unit, a scoring unit, and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit receives a top view image and a side view image of a sparkling beverage from a mobile information terminal. The top view image and the side view image received by the receiving unit are sharpened by the image processing unit. This sharpening is performed to make it easier to recognize individual bubbles contained in the foam layer in the image of the sparkling beverage. The image processing unit sharpens the image by changing the brightness value for each pixel to expand the dynamic range of the image.

[0004] After the image processing unit sharpens the image, the scoring unit uses the sharpened image to score the beer. The scoring unit evaluates the height of the foam layer, the size distribution of the bubbles contained in the foam layer, the density of the bubbles, and the uniformity of the bubbles. The scoring unit then assigns a score to the beer. The assigned score is transmitted to the mobile information terminal by the transmitting unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-113786 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, a fine bubble-containing layer called frosty mist is formed at the boundary between the foam and the liquid of a sparkling beverage. The frosty mist is stimulated when the sparkling beverage poured into a beverage container such as a mug is consumed, and when the frosty mist is stimulated, fine bubbles are generated. When a large amount of frosty mist is generated, it is thought that a large amount of fine bubbles will be regenerated, so it is important to measure the frosty mist.

[0007] However, since frosty mist is formed by fine bubbles and the amount thereof tends to vary over time, it is currently difficult to accurately and efficiently measure the frosty mist. Also, a method of measuring the frosty mist visually is conceivable. However, when measuring the frosty mist visually, the results tend to vary depending on the measurer, so there is room for improvement in the accuracy of the frosty mist measurement. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the frosty mist efficiently and with high accuracy.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a frosty mist measurement method that can measure frosty mist efficiently and with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The frosty mist measurement method according to the present disclosure is a method for measuring frosty mist generated at the boundary between the liquid and foam of a sparkling beverage. The frosty mist measurement method includes the steps of: pouring the sparkling beverage into a beverage container; photographing the sparkling beverage poured into the beverage container with a camera; acquiring brightness data indicating the relationship between the displacement and brightness in a region extending from the foam to the liquid in the image of the sparkling beverage obtained by photographing; and measuring the frosty mist from two inflection points of the brightness data.

[0010] In this frosty mist measurement method, a camera captures an image of a sparkling beverage dispensed into a beverage container, and brightness data is obtained from the image captured by the camera. The brightness data indicates the relationship between the displacement and brightness in the region extending from the bubbles to the liquid in the image. Therefore, brightness data corresponding to the displacement from the bubbles to the liquid in the image of the sparkling beverage can be obtained. In the image of the sparkling beverage, the brightness of the bubbles is highest and the brightness of the liquid is lowest, and the brightness of the frosty mist decreases from the bubbles to the liquid. When frosty mist is generated, the brightness data indicating the relationship between displacement and brightness has an inflection point located on the bubble side and an inflection point located on the liquid side. In this frosty mist measurement method, the frosty mist is measured from these two inflection points. Therefore, the thickness and concentration of the frosty mist can be measured with high accuracy.

[0011] The step of photographing the sparkling beverage may include a step of making the background on the opposite side of the sparkling beverage from the camera a monochromatic color before the camera photographs the sparkling beverage. In this case, the background is monochromatic when the sparkling beverage is photographed by the camera. Therefore, a clearer image of the bubbles, liquid, and frosty mist of the sparkling beverage can be obtained. As a result, the thickness and concentration of the frosty mist can be measured with higher accuracy.

[0012] The frosty mist measurement method may include, prior to the step of photographing with a camera, a step of photographing a reference sparkling beverage without frosty mist with a camera, and a step of acquiring reference brightness data indicating the relationship between the displacement and brightness in a region extending from the foam to the liquid in the image of the reference sparkling beverage obtained by photographing. In the step of measuring the frosty mist, the frosty mist may be measured from the reference brightness data and two inflection points of the brightness data. In this case, the thickness and concentration of the frosty mist are measured using the reference brightness data of the reference sparkling beverage without frosty mist and the two inflection points of the brightness data of the sparkling beverage. By measuring the frosty mist of the sparkling beverage in this way, the thickness and concentration of the frosty mist can be measured with higher accuracy.

[0013] In the step of creating a single color background, the background may be black. In this case, the background when the sparkling beverage is photographed by the camera is black, so a clearer image can be obtained. Therefore, the thickness and concentration of the frosty mist can be measured with even higher accuracy. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present disclosure, frosty mist can be measured efficiently and with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view schematically showing a sparkling beverage to which a frosty mist measurement method according to an embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary frosty mist measurement device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a sparkling drink photographed by the camera of the frosty mist measuring device of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 1A is a diagram showing a region extending from the foam to the liquid in a sparkling beverage from which brightness is to be obtained, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a region extending from the foam to the liquid in a reference sparkling beverage from which brightness is to be obtained. [Figure 5] 4(a) and 4(b) are graphs showing examples of luminance data and reference luminance data that show the relationship between displacement and luminance in the regions of FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). [Figure 6] 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams showing examples of the reference luminance data and two inflection points of the luminance data in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b). [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of steps of a frosty mist measurement method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the frosty mist measurement method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the drawings may be partially simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios and the like are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0017] 1 is a diagram showing an exemplary sparkling beverage 1 to be measured by the frosty mist measurement method according to this embodiment. The sparkling beverage 1 is dispensed from a faucet of a beverage server into a beverage container C. Inside the beverage container C, the sparkling beverage 1 comprises a liquid 2 and foam 3 located on top of the liquid 2. The beverage container C is a container such as a mug, glass, or cup from which the sparkling beverage 1 can be dispensed.

[0018] Sparkling beverage 1 contains, for example, a fermented alcoholic beverage containing a gas such as carbon dioxide, and has the foaming property of forming a layer of foam 3 on top of liquid 2 when poured into beverage container C, and the foam retention property of maintaining the formed foam 3 for a certain period of time or more. As a specific example, sparkling beverage 1 is a beverage that exhibits a NIBEM value of 50 seconds or more. The NIBEM value is an index that indicates the foam retention property of a beverage, as promulgated by EBC (European Brewery Convention) law.

[0019] The sparkling beverage 1 may be a beer-flavored beverage. Beer-flavored beverages include beverages that taste like beer and beverages that give the drinker the sensation of drinking beer. Beer-flavored beverages with an alcohol content of 1% or more are also called beer-flavored alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, beer-flavored beverages include beer, happoshu, non-alcoholic beer, and liqueurs (e.g., beverages classified as "liqueur (sparkling) (1)" under the Liquor Tax Act) that use malt as an ingredient.

[0020] The sparkling beverage 1 may be a sparkling beverage other than a beer-flavored beverage. The sparkling beverage 1 may be, for example, a chuhai, sour, highball, RTD (Ready To Drink), cola, soda, cider, or the like, which has at least one of the foaming and foam retention properties described above. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the sparkling beverage 1 is beer.

[0021] The foam 3 of the sparkling beverage 1 includes so-called fine bubbles, which are different from the coarse bubbles that are generated, for example, by the impact of the liquid 2 on the beverage container C. The fine bubbles are creamy bubbles that improve the design and mouthfeel of the sparkling beverage 1, and it is desirable to generate a large amount of fine bubbles so that they function as a lid to prevent the aroma or carbon dioxide gas from escaping from the liquid 2 and to prevent oxidation of the liquid 2. The fine bubbles are also generated from the frosty mist 4 that appears at the boundary between the liquid 2 and the foam 3.

[0022] The frosty mist 4 is a mist-like layer that appears at the boundary between the liquid 2 and the foam 3, and is, for example, a collection of fine bubbles with an outer diameter of 20 μm or less. The amount of the frosty mist 4 varies depending on the type (brand) of the sparkling beverage 1, the ingredients of the sparkling beverage 1, or the method of dispensing the sparkling beverage 1.

[0023] The frosty mist 4 is generated by the application of gas pressure when the sparkling beverage 1 is dispensed into the beverage container C. Note that the frosty mist 4 can be generated not only by gas pressure, but also by other factors such as ultrasound. For example, the frosty mist 4 regenerates the bubbles 3 when the sparkling beverage 1 is consumed, thereby improving the retention of fine bubbles.

[0024] Specifically, when sparkling beverage 1 is consumed, frosty mist 4 comes into contact with liquid 2, foam 3, or beverage container C and is stimulated, causing new foam 3 to be regenerated from frosty mist 4. As frosty mist 4 appears more clearly and the amount of frosty mist 4 increases, the amount of regenerated foam 3 also increases. Therefore, measuring the thickness and concentration of frosty mist 4 can be important in order to improve the head retention of fine bubbles and regenerate foam 3.

[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an exemplary frosty mist measuring device 10 that measures frosty mist 4. The functions of frosty mist measuring device 10 are not limited to those shown in Figure 2 and can be modified as appropriate. As shown in Figure 2, frosty mist measuring device 10 includes a camera 11 that photographs sparkling beverage 1, a measurement unit 12 that analyzes the image of sparkling beverage 1 photographed by camera 11 to measure frosty mist 4, and a display unit 13 that displays the measurement results of measurement unit 12.

[0026] The frosty mist measuring device 10 may include, for example, a brightness measuring device. In the present disclosure, "brightness" refers to the degree of brightness of something that reflects light. For example, "brightness" is different from color parameters such as RGB parameters and Lab parameters that indicate color, and refers only to glare or brightness. In this embodiment, by measuring the frosty mist 4 from the brightness of an image of the sparkling beverage 1 rather than a color parameter, complex image processing can be avoided and the frosty mist 4 can be measured with simple processing and configuration.

[0027] Frosty mist measuring device 10 may include, for example, a computer, which may have a processor that runs an operating system or an application program, and a storage unit such as a memory. In this case, each functional element of frosty mist measuring device 10 is realized, for example, by loading predetermined software into the storage unit and executing the software. Images captured by camera 11 and measurement results by measurement unit 12 may be stored in the storage unit.

[0028] 3, camera 11 captures an image of beverage container C, into which sparkling beverage 1 has been poured, placed in a predetermined area R. As an example, area R is an area on a table. For example, frosty mist measuring device 10 has background material 15, which is placed on the opposite side of camera 11 from beverage container C.

[0029] For example, the surface 15b of the background material 15 facing the camera 11 is a single color. In this case, the surface 15b of the background material 15 has no pattern and is a single color. The color of the surface 15b of the background material 15 is black, for example. In this disclosure, "black" includes not only black but also navy blue, purple, brown, gray, and dark green, which are colors close to black.

[0030] Measurement unit 12 measures frosty mist 4 from an image of sparkling beverage 1 captured by camera 11. Measurement unit 12 includes, for example, luminance acquisition unit 12b and frosty mist measurement unit 12c. Luminance acquisition unit 12b acquires the luminance of area A1, which is part of sparkling beverage 1, as shown in Figure 4(a), for example.

[0031] Area A1 is an area extending from the foam 3 to the liquid 2 in the image of the sparkling beverage 1 captured by the camera 11. That is, area A1 includes the lower part of the foam 3, the frosty mist 4, and the upper part of the liquid 2. As an example, area A1 has a rectangular shape. The brightness acquisition unit 12b acquires the brightness of area A1.

[0032] The brightness acquisition unit 12b acquires brightness data E1 (see FIG. 5(a)) that indicates the relationship between the brightness and the displacement D from the reference point X of the region A1. The brightness data E1 is stored, for example, in a memory unit of the frosty mist measurement device 10. The reference point X indicates the position of the bubble 3 on the bubble 3 side of the image captured by the camera 11, where no frosty mist 4 is present. The displacement D indicates the distance from the reference point X in the region A1 toward the liquid 2 from the reference point X.

[0033] Fig. 5(a) is a graph showing an example of luminance data E1 of the luminance acquisition unit 12b obtained by performing photography using the above-mentioned background material 15, and an example of reference luminance data E2 (described later). Fig. 5(b) is a graph showing an example of luminance data E1 of the luminance acquisition unit 12b obtained by performing photography without using the background material 15, and an example of reference luminance data E2.

[0034] The horizontal axis of the graphs in Figures 5(a) and 5(b) represents the displacement D extending from the reference point X to the foam 3 and the liquid 2 (below the beverage container C), and represents, for example, the distance from the reference point X to the foam 3, the frosty mist 4, or the liquid 2 in the vertical direction of the beverage container C. The vertical axis of the graphs in Figures 5(a) and 5(b) represents the brightness value at the displacement D.

[0035] For example, camera 11 photographs reference sparkling beverage 101 before photographing sparkling beverage 1. Reference sparkling beverage 101 is a sparkling beverage that contains only liquid 2 and foam 3, and does not contain frosty mist 4. The foam 3 in reference sparkling beverage 101 is not foam dispensed from a faucet on a beverage server, but foam placed on liquid 2 by a device other than the faucet.

[0036] For example, as shown in Figure 4(b), the brightness acquisition unit 12b acquires the brightness of area A2, which is part of the reference sparkling beverage 101, from an image of the reference sparkling beverage 101 captured by the camera 11. Area A2 is, for example, an area similar to area A1 described above, and the brightness acquisition unit 12b acquires the brightness of area A2.

[0037] The brightness acquisition unit 12b acquires in advance (before the camera 11 captures an image of the sparkling beverage 1) reference brightness data E2 indicating the relationship between the brightness and the displacement D of the region A2 from the reference point X. The acquired reference brightness data E2 is stored in a memory unit of the frosty mist measuring device 10, for example.

[0038] Incidentally, the brightness of the bubbles 3 is higher than the brightness of the frosty mist 4, which is higher than the brightness of the liquid 2. Therefore, in the reference brightness data E2 of the reference sparkling beverage 101 that does not have the frosty mist 4, when the displacement D from the reference point X becomes larger than the boundary between the bubbles 3 and the liquid 2, the brightness drops sharply.

[0039] On the other hand, in the brightness data E1 of the sparkling beverage 1 containing the frosty mist 4, when the displacement D from the reference point X becomes larger than the boundary portion, the brightness initially drops sharply, but then the drop in brightness becomes gentler and the brightness gradually drops as the displacement D approaches the region of the liquid 2. Then, when the displacement D reaches the region of the liquid 2, the drop in brightness stops.

[0040] In this embodiment, the frosty mist measurement unit 12c measures the thickness and concentration of the frosty mist 4 from brightness data E1, which indicates the relationship between the displacement D and brightness. The brightness data E1 has an inflection point P1 and an inflection point P2. The inflection points P1 and P2 indicate points on the brightness data E1 where the slope of the brightness relative to the displacement D changes.

[0041] For example, when background material 15 is used, the slope (e.g., the slope relative to the horizontal axis of the graph) changes from approximately 80° to approximately 45° at inflection point P1, and changes from approximately 40° to approximately 20° at inflection point P2. On the other hand, when background material 15 is not used, some noise (disturbance) is present in the luminance data E1 and the reference luminance data E2, and the slope changes from approximately 80° to approximately 30° at inflection point P1, and becomes 0° at inflection point P2.

[0042] The frosty mist measurement unit 12c measures the thickness and concentration of the frosty mist 4 in the sparkling beverage 1, for example, from inflection points P1 and P2. Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams schematically showing examples of brightness data E1 and reference brightness data E2. As with Figure 5(a) and others, the horizontal axes of the graphs in Figures 6(a) and 6(b) represent displacement D, and the vertical axes of the graphs in Figures 6(a) and 6(b) represent the brightness value at displacement D.

[0043] As an example, frosty mist measurement unit 12c measures the thickness (height) of frosty mist 4 from the difference between displacement D at inflection point P2 and displacement D at inflection point P1. In this case, the difference between displacement D at inflection point P2 and displacement D at inflection point P1 is measured as the thickness of frosty mist 4. In other words, the larger the difference, the thicker the frosty mist 4 is measured to be, and the smaller the difference, the thinner the frosty mist 4 is measured to be.

[0044] As an example, the frosty mist measurement unit 12c may measure the concentration of the frosty mist 4 from the magnitude (height) of the luminance of the linear portion of the luminance data E1 extending from the inflection point P1 to the inflection point P2. In this case, the concentration of the frosty mist 4 is measured to be higher as the luminance increases, and lower as the luminance decreases.

[0045] The frosty mist measurement unit 12c may measure the frosty mist 4 from the inflection point P1, the inflection point P2, and the reference brightness data E2. As an example, the frosty mist measurement unit 12c may measure the frosty mist 4 from the shape of a triangle T defined by the inflection point P1, the inflection point P2, and the reference brightness data E2.

[0046] For example, frosty mist measurement unit 12c measures triangle T as the distribution of frosty mist 4. Alternatively, frosty mist measurement unit 12c may measure the horizontal length of triangle T as the thickness of frosty mist 4. As an example different from the above example, frosty mist measurement unit 12c may measure frosty mist 4 from the intersection of luminance data E1 and reference luminance data E2. As described above, frosty mist measurement unit 12c can measure frosty mist 4 using luminance data E1 that indicates the relationship between displacement D and luminance.

[0047] For example, display unit 13 may be the display of an information terminal such as a personal computer or a laptop computer, or the display of a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a tablet. Display unit 13 displays, for example, at least one of the thickness, concentration, and distribution of frosty mist 4 measured by frosty mist measurement unit 12c. For example, display unit 13 may display a graph of luminance data E1 and reference luminance data E2 (such as the graphs in FIG. 5(a), FIG. 5(b), FIG. 6(a), or FIG. 6(b)), or may display luminance data E1 and reference luminance data E2 in a table format.

[0048] Next, an example of steps in the frosty mist measurement method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of steps in the frosty mist measurement method according to this embodiment. For example, a reference sparkling beverage 101 is poured into a beverage container C in advance (step S1 of pouring a reference sparkling beverage).

[0049] Next, the camera 11 photographs the reference sparkling beverage 101 dispensed into the beverage container C (step of photographing the reference sparkling beverage, step S2). At this time, for example, the beverage container C into which the reference sparkling beverage 101 has been dispensed is placed in area R under natural lighting conditions, and a background material 15 is placed. For example, the background material 15 is placed so that its monochromatic surface 15b faces the camera 11 (step of making the background monochromatic). The reference sparkling beverage 101 is then photographed by the camera 11.

[0050] When the reference sparkling beverage 101 is photographed by the camera 11, the brightness acquisition unit 12b acquires reference brightness data E2 of the reference sparkling beverage 101 (step of acquiring reference brightness data, step S3). At this time, the brightness acquisition unit 12b acquires the reference brightness data E2 which indicates the relationship between the displacement D from the reference point X in the region A2 and the brightness of the image of the reference sparkling beverage 101.

[0051] Next, the sparkling beverage 1 is dispensed from the faucet of the beverage server into the beverage container C (step of dispensing the sparkling beverage, step S4). Then, the camera 11 photographs the sparkling beverage 1 dispensed into the beverage container C (step of photographing the sparkling beverage, step S5). At this time, for example, the beverage container C into which the sparkling beverage 1 has been dispensed is placed in area R under natural lighting conditions, and a background material 15 is placed. As described above, the background material 15 is placed so that the monochromatic surface 15b faces the camera 11 (step of making it monochromatic). The sparkling beverage 1 is then photographed by the camera 11.

[0052] When the sparkling beverage 1 is photographed by the camera 11, the brightness acquisition unit 12b acquires brightness data E1 of the sparkling beverage 1 (step of acquiring brightness data, step S6). At this time, the brightness acquisition unit 12b acquires brightness data E1 that indicates the relationship between the displacement D from the reference point X in the area A1 and the brightness of the image of the sparkling beverage 1.

[0053] For example, frosty mist measurement unit 12c measures frosty mist 4 from luminance data E1 and reference luminance data E2 (process of measuring frosty mist, step S7). At this time, frosty mist measurement unit 12c measures the thickness, concentration, and distribution of frosty mist 4 from, for example, inflection points P1 and P2 of luminance data E1 and reference luminance data E2. At least one of the measured thickness, concentration, and distribution of frosty mist 4 is displayed by display unit 13. Through the above steps, a series of steps in the frosty mist measurement method is completed.

[0054] Next, the effects obtained from the frosty mist measurement method according to this embodiment will be described. In the frosty mist measurement method according to this embodiment, a camera 11 captures an image of a sparkling beverage 1 dispensed into a beverage container C, and brightness data E1 is obtained from the image captured by the camera 11. The brightness data E1 indicates the relationship between the brightness and the displacement D in an area A1 extending from the foam 3 to the liquid 2 in the image. Therefore, brightness data E1 corresponding to the displacement D from the foam 3 to the liquid 2 in the image of the sparkling beverage 1 can be obtained.

[0055] In an image of sparkling beverage 1, bubbles 3 have the highest brightness and liquid 2 has the lowest brightness, with the brightness of frosty mist 4 decreasing from bubbles 3 to liquid 2. When frosty mist 4 is present, brightness data E1 showing the relationship between displacement D and brightness has an inflection point P1 located on the bubble 3 side and an inflection point P2 located on the liquid 2 side. With this frosty mist measurement method, frosty mist 4 is measured from these two inflection points P1 and P2. Therefore, the thickness and concentration of frosty mist 4 can be measured with high accuracy.

[0056] The step of photographing the sparkling beverage may include a step of making the background (e.g., surface 15b of background material 15) located on the opposite side of camera 11 from sparkling beverage 1 a monochromatic color before camera 11 photographs sparkling beverage 1. In this case, the background will be a monochromatic color when camera 11 photographs sparkling beverage 1. This more reliably suppresses the occurrence of noise (external disturbances), allowing clearer images of bubbles 3, liquid 2, and frosty mist 4 in sparkling beverage 1 to be acquired. As a result, the thickness and concentration of frosty mist 4 can be measured with higher accuracy.

[0057] The frosty mist measurement method according to this embodiment may include, before the step of photographing with the camera, a step of photographing a reference sparkling beverage 101 without frosty mist 4 with the camera 11, and a step of acquiring reference brightness data indicating the relationship between the displacement D and brightness in an area A2 extending from the foam 3 to the liquid 2 in the image of the reference sparkling beverage 101 obtained by photographing. In the step of measuring the frosty mist, the frosty mist 4 may be measured from the reference brightness data E2 and two inflection points P1 and P2 of the brightness data E1.

[0058] In this case, the thickness and concentration of the frosty mist 4 are measured using the reference brightness data E2 of the reference sparkling beverage 101 that does not have the frosty mist 4 and the two inflection points P1 and P2 of the brightness data E1 of the sparkling beverage 1. By measuring the frosty mist 4 of the sparkling beverage 1 in this way while taking into account the reference brightness data E2 of the reference sparkling beverage 101, the thickness and concentration of the frosty mist 4 can be measured with greater accuracy.

[0059] In the process of making the background a single color, the background may be black. That is, surface 15b of background material 15 may be black. In this case, the background will be black when the sparkling beverage 1 is photographed by camera 11, allowing for a clearer image to be obtained. Therefore, the thickness and concentration of frosty mist 4 can be measured with even greater accuracy.

[0060] The above describes an embodiment of the frosty mist measurement method according to the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be modified or applied to other things without departing from the spirit of the claims. In other words, the present disclosure can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the claims, and the content and order of the steps of the frosty mist measurement method can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the frosty mist measurement method may be performed using something other than the frosty mist measurement device 10 described above.

[0061] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which frosty mist 4 was measured using brightness data E1 and reference brightness data E2. However, reference brightness data E2 may not be necessary, and frosty mist 4 may be measured from brightness data E1 alone. Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which camera 11 photographed sparkling beverage 1 using background material 15 whose surface 15b facing camera 11 was black. However, the color of surface 15b may be a solid color other than black, or may not be a solid color. Also, sparkling beverage 1 may be photographed without using background material 15.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the sparkling beverage 1 is beer. However, the sparkling beverage according to the present disclosure may be something other than beer, such as a low-malt beer with a predetermined foam retention property, non-alcoholic beer, chuhai, sour, highball, RTD (Ready To Drink), cola, soda, or cider. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...sparkling beverage, 2...liquid, 3...foam, 4...frosty mist, 10...frosty mist measuring device, 11...camera, 12...measuring unit, 12b...luminance acquisition unit, 12c...frosty mist measuring unit, 13...display unit, 15...background material, 15b...surface, 101...reference sparkling beverage, A1, A2...area, C...beverage container, D...displacement, E1...luminance data, E2...reference luminance data, P1, P2...inflection point, R...area, T...triangle, X...reference point.

Claims

1. A frosty mist measurement method for measuring frosty mist generated at the boundary between the liquid and foam of a sparkling beverage, dispensing the sparkling beverage into a beverage container; A step of photographing the sparkling beverage poured into the beverage container with a camera; acquiring brightness data indicating the relationship between the displacement and brightness in a region extending from the foam to the liquid in the image of the sparkling beverage obtained by the photographing; measuring the frosty mist from two inflection points of the luminance data; Equipped with Before the camera takes a photograph, A step of using a camera to photograph a reference sparkling beverage that does not have the frosty mist; acquiring reference brightness data indicating the relationship between the displacement and brightness in a region extending from the foam to the liquid in the image of the reference sparkling beverage obtained by the photographing; Equipped with In the step of measuring the frosty mist, the frosty mist is measured from the reference luminance data and two inflection points of the luminance data. Frosty mist measurement method.

2. the step of photographing the sparkling beverage includes a step of making a background located on the opposite side of the sparkling beverage from the camera a single color before the camera photographs the sparkling beverage; The frosty mist measuring method according to claim 1 .

3. In the step of making the background a single color, the background is made black. The frosty mist measuring method according to claim 2 .

Images