Beverage Dispenser Control Architecture for Cross-Platform Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern dispensers face challenges in customization across disparate platforms due to different hardware and software requirements, hindering unified dispenser customization and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser control architecture that includes a human machine interface module, machine bus, and core dispense module, adaptable through adapter software layers, allowing for customized user interface views and equipment behavior across various dispenser types, enabling unified operation and recipe management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different hardware and software requirements are used for each dispenser platform, then each dispenser can be optimized for its specific platform, but customization across disparate dispenser platforms is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control architecture that allows a single dispenser control system to operate across multiple dispenser platforms (small, medium, and large dispensers). The architecture uses a common core dispense module and adapter software layers that can adapt to different hardware configurations, enabling the same control logic to function universally across disparate platforms without requiring platform-specific customization of the core control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adapter software layers as intermediary components between the core dispense module and the specific dispenser hardware. These adapters act as mediators that translate universal control commands into platform-specific operations, allowing the core control architecture to remain standardized while accommodating variations in different dispenser hardware and software environments.
2Ease of operation
If a unified control architecture is implemented across all dispenser platforms, then customization and operation are streamlined, but specific hardware and software requirements of individual platforms may not be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control architecture into distinct layers: a core dispense module that handles universal dispensing logic, adapter software layers that handle platform-specific adaptations, and hardware interface layers that communicate with specific dispenser components. This segmentation allows the unified core architecture to maintain ease of operation while the segmented adapter layers handle the variability of platform-specific requirements independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic adapter system that can automatically configure and adjust to different dispenser platforms based on detected hardware characteristics. The adapter software layers dynamically load and initialize appropriate drivers and configurations based on the specific platform being used, allowing the unified control architecture to adapt its behavior to meet specific hardware and software requirements of each platform without requiring manual reconfiguration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control architecture for use with beverage product dispensers is provided. Instructions may be received at an interface module for performing one or more requested dispenser operations. The interface module may send the instructions to a dispense module. The dispense module may translate the instructions to predetermined commands associated with a dispenser. The one or more requested dispenser operations may then be performed based on the predetermined commands from the translated instructions.