Beverage Dispenser Valve Gateway Control for Remote Multi-Tap Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispenser control systems require each tapping valve to have a separate transceiver device for communication with a telematic network, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a gateway device that routes control signals from a telematic communication network to individual tapping valves, using unique identification codes to ensure secure and efficient communication without the need for transceivers on each valve, allowing remote control of multiple valves through a cloud server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each tapping valve is provided with a separate transceiver device for communication with the telematic network, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication function of multiple tapping valves into a single gateway device. Instead of each valve having its own transceiver, the gateway consolidates the telematic communication capability, serving all valves through one communication interface. This reduces the number of transceiver devices from N (one per valve) to 1 (single gateway), thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining communication reliability through centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary device between the telematic network and the tapping valves. It receives control signals from the remote operator, identifies the target valve using unique identification codes, and forwards the appropriate signals to the specific valve. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for each valve to have direct communication capability, simplifying the overall system architecture while ensuring reliable communication through the gateway's intelligent routing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each tapping valve has a separate transceiver device, then communication independence is improved, but construction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device performs multiple functions: it serves as the communication interface for all tapping valves, acts as a signal router using unique identification codes to direct control signals to the correct valve, and provides centralized control capabilities. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for each valve to have its own transceiver, significantly reducing construction costs while maintaining the ability to independently control each valve through the universal gateway.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of duplicating transceiver hardware in each tapping valve, the system uses software-based identification codes (virtual copies) to distinguish and control individual valves. Each valve is assigned a unique identification code that serves as its digital identity, allowing the single gateway to differentiate between multiple valves without requiring physical communication hardware at each valve location. This virtual identification approach reduces hardware costs while maintaining valve-specific control capabilities.
3Device complexity
If a gateway device is used to route control signals to multiple valves, then device complexity is reduced, but communication security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway implements a feedback mechanism using unique identification codes for each tapping valve. When the remote operator sends a control signal, the gateway verifies the signal against the stored identification codes to determine the correct target valve. This feedback verification process ensures that control signals are routed to the intended valve, preventing misrouting or unauthorized access. The system maintains communication security through this intelligent signal verification and routing feedback loop, eliminating the need for complex encryption hardware while ensuring reliable and secure communication.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for controlling one or more tapping valves included in a beverage dispenser includes a telematic communication network with a cloud server and a gateway for selecting a tapping valve and connecting the telematics communication network to the selected tapping valve. The cloud server is configured to send a control signal to the gateway and the gateway is configured to verify which tapping valve the control signal is directed to and forward the control signal to the tapping valve. The control logic unit of each tapping valve is configured to receive the control signal and execute a command and/or modify one or more parameters of a set of parameters and/or add one or more further parameters to the set of parameters.