CN112105579A

CN112105579A - Beverage supply device

Info

Publication number: CN112105579A
Application number: CN201980029682.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 二野宫祐希; 德永勇贵; 长岛隆一; 持田幸秀; 永吉贤也; 西川洋平
Original assignee: Fuji Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fuji Electric Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-07
Filing date: 2019-04-10
Publication date: 2020-12-18
Also published as: WO2019216102A1; KR20200136031A

Abstract

A beverage supply device for supplying a beverage produced by a beverage production unit (11) to a container (C) disposed in a beverage supply unit (22) is provided with image information acquisition means (25, 30) for acquiring image information of the container (C) by imaging the container (C) by an imaging unit (25), wherein the imaging unit (25) is disposed at a position lower than the height level of an upper surface opening (C1) of the container (C). Further, it is preferable that a cover mechanism (28) is provided, the cover mechanism (28) covering the imaging surface (25a) of the imaging unit (25) in a normal state, and the cover mechanism (28) exposing the imaging surface (25a) when the image information acquisition means acquires the image information of the container (C).

Description

Beverage supply device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a beverage supply device, and more particularly, to a beverage supply device such as a coffee maker installed in a store such as a convenience store.

Background

Conventionally, beverage supply devices such as coffee makers are installed in stores such as convenience stores. The beverage supply device supplies a cup serving as a container with a beverage after performing processes such as coffee bean grinding and extraction processing of dropping liquid to generate the beverage.

In such a beverage supply device, the following beverage supply device is proposed: an imaging unit such as a camera for imaging the cup is provided, and the type of the container is determined based on image information acquired by imaging the cup by the imaging unit and information on the container stored in the memory (see, for example, patent document 1).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-159941

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the beverage supplying apparatus proposed in patent document 1, an imaging unit is provided at a position above the height level of the upper surface opening of the cup. Therefore, when the beverage is supplied to the cup, the cup may not be imaged by the imaging unit due to hot air generated from the beverage.

In the beverage supplying apparatus proposed in patent document 1, the type of the container is determined based on the image information acquired by the image pickup unit, but there is a possibility that an erroneous determination may occur, for example, the size of the cup in the acquired image information varies depending on the arrangement position of the cup, and the type of the container is erroneously determined.

In view of the above circumstances, a first object of the present invention is to provide a beverage supply device capable of performing imaging with an imaging unit in a satisfactory manner.

In view of the above circumstances, a second object of the present invention is to provide a beverage supply device capable of improving the accuracy of determining the type of a container.

Means for solving the problems

In order to achieve the above object, a beverage supply device according to the present invention is a beverage supply device for supplying a beverage produced by a beverage producing unit to a container disposed in a beverage supply unit, the beverage supply device including an image information acquiring unit for acquiring image information of the container by imaging the container by an imaging unit provided at a position lower than a height level of an upper surface opening of the container.

In the beverage supply device, the beverage supply device may further include a cover mechanism that covers an imaging surface of the imaging unit in a normal state, and the cover mechanism may expose the imaging surface when the image information acquisition unit acquires the image information of the container.

In the beverage supply device, the beverage supply device may further include a container detection unit configured to detect that the container is disposed in the beverage supply unit, and the cover mechanism may expose the imaging surface when the container detection unit detects that the container is disposed.

In addition, according to the present invention, in the beverage supply device, the beverage supply device further includes: an opening/closing door for opening/closing an inlet of the beverage supply unit; and a door opening/closing detection unit for detecting opening/closing of the entrance by the opening/closing door, wherein the cover mechanism exposes the imaging surface on condition that the door opening/closing detection unit detects that the entrance is closed.

In the beverage supply device, the image information acquisition means may acquire image information of the container by imaging the container through an imaging opening formed in the beverage supply unit by the imaging unit, and a brim may be provided above the imaging opening.

In the beverage supplying device, the image information acquiring unit may acquire the image information of the container by imaging the container reflected on the mirror surface by the imaging unit.

Further, a beverage supply device according to the present invention is a beverage supply device for supplying a beverage generated by a beverage generation unit to a container disposed in the beverage supply unit, the beverage supply device including: an image information acquisition unit that acquires image information of the container; and a container determination unit that determines the type of the container based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, wherein the container determination unit performs determination based on a ratio of a maximum width of an upper surface opening of the container to a height of the container in the image information.

In the beverage supply device, the container detection unit may detect that the container is disposed in the beverage supply unit, and the container determination unit may determine the type of the container when the container detection unit detects that the container is disposed.

In addition, according to the present invention, in the beverage supply device, the beverage supply device further includes: an opening/closing door for opening/closing an inlet of the beverage supply unit; and a door opening/closing detection unit for detecting opening/closing of the inlet by the opening/closing door, wherein the container determination unit determines the type of the container on the condition that the door opening/closing detection unit detects that the inlet is closed.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, since the image information acquiring means acquires the image information of the container by imaging the container by the imaging unit provided at a position lower than the height level of the upper surface opening of the container, the imaging unit can perform imaging satisfactorily without being affected by hot air or the like generated by the beverage supplied into the container.

Further, according to the present invention, since the image information acquiring means for acquiring the image information of the container and the container determining means for determining the type of the container based on the image information acquired by the image information acquiring means are provided, and the container determining means determines the type of the container based on the ratio of the maximum width of the upper surface opening of the container to the height of the container in the image information, there is an effect that the accuracy of determining the type of the container can be improved without being affected by the change in the size of the container in the image information depending on the arrangement position of the container.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a beverage supply device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of a beverage supply device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part when the opening and closing door is in a closed state.

Fig. 4 (a) and (b) are perspective views showing a positional relationship between the imaging unit and the container, and fig. 4 (c) and (d) are perspective views showing the cover mechanisms of fig. 4 (a) and (b), respectively.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the image pickup unit and the light source unit.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the beverage supply control process performed by the control unit shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the determination processing of the type of container in fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory view showing a main part of a modification of the beverage supply device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a beverage supply device according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of a beverage supply device according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the beverage supply control process performed by the control unit shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the determination processing of the type of container in fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining elements used for judgment in the judgment processing of the type of container shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the image pickup section contamination determination processing executed by the control section shown in fig. 10.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the beverage supply device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

< embodiment 1>

Fig. 1 and 2 each show a beverage supply device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention, fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration, and fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system. The beverage supply device exemplified here is a coffee machine installed in a store such as a convenience store, for example, and supplies a beverage such as coffee to a container C such as a cup by performing processing such as coffee bean grinding and extraction of dripping liquid. This beverage supply device is provided with a device body 1.

The apparatus main body 1 includes a main body cabinet 10 and a front surface door 20. The main body cabinet 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open front surface. A beverage producing portion 11 for producing a beverage (e.g., coffee) is provided inside the main body cabinet 10.

The front surface door 20 is a door body having a size sufficient to close the opening of the front surface of the main body cabinet 10. The front door 20 is provided at one front edge of the main body cabinet 10 so as to be swingable around a central axis of a shaft portion, not shown, extending in the vertical direction, and is configured to be able to open and close the opening of the front surface of the main body cabinet 10.

The front surface of the front door 20 constitutes a customer service plane, and the front door 20 is provided with a display unit 21, a beverage supply unit 22, and an opening/closing door 23. The display unit 21 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel, displays various information, and has an input unit 21a capable of performing input operations such as touch operations.

The beverage supply unit 22 is provided below the display unit 21, and includes a nozzle 22a and a mounting table 22 b. The nozzle 22a is used to discharge the beverage produced in the beverage producing unit 11 downward. The mounting table 22b is provided in a region below the nozzle 22 a. The mounting table 22b is used to mount the container C, and is provided with an arc-shaped stopper 22C. The stopper 22c can satisfactorily receive the beverage discharged from the nozzle 22a, and constitutes a predetermined information-acquirable region S in which image information can be satisfactorily read by the imaging unit 25 described later.

The opening/closing door 23 is formed by processing a material such as resin to reduce light transmission, and has a size sufficient to cover the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22. Here, as the processing for reducing light transmission, coloring or embossing of a material made of a resin or the like is exemplified. Alternatively, the opening/closing door 23 may be processed by a so-called magic mirror which is visible from the outside to the inside but not visible from the inside to the outside due to reflection.

The left end of such an opening/closing door 23 is pivotally supported to the front surface door 20, so that the opening/closing door 23 can swing in the front-rear direction. That is, the opening/closing door 23 can swing in the front-rear direction so as to approach and separate from the beverage supply unit 22, and can close the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22 when swinging rearward so as to approach the beverage supply unit 22, and can open the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22 when swinging forward so as to separate from the beverage supply unit 22.

The opening/closing door 23 has a guide piece 23 b. The guide piece 23b is provided at a lower end portion of an inner surface of the door main body 23a curved so as to protrude outward so as to protrude along a shape of the door main body 23 a. That is, the front end portion of the guide piece 23b is curved. When the opening door 23 swings backward (in the closing direction) in a state where the container C is placed on the placement table 22b, the guide piece 23b abuts on the bottom portion of the container C to guide the container C to the information acquirable area S. When the opening/closing door 23 closes the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22, the guide piece 23b sandwiches the bottom of the container C between the guide piece 23b and the stopper 22C, as shown in fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 2, the beverage supply device includes a container detector 24, an image pickup unit 25, a door opening/closing detector 26, a door opening/closing locking mechanism 27, a cover mechanism 28, a light source unit 29, and a controller 30.

The container detector 24 is composed of, for example, an optical sensor, and detects whether or not the container C is placed on the beverage supply unit 22, that is, whether or not the container C is placed on the placement base 22 b. The container detector 24 supplies the detection result of the presence or absence of the container C to the controller 30.

The imaging unit 25 is provided in the beverage supply unit 22, and is mounted with, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or the like. The imaging unit 25 generates image information of the container C by imaging the container C placed on the mounting table 22b through an imaging opening 22e formed in a wall portion of the beverage supply unit 22. The imaging unit 25 supplies the generated image information to the control unit 30.

As shown in fig. 4 (a) and (b), the imaging opening 22e is provided below the level of the upper surface opening C1 of the container C placed on the mounting table 22 b. Therefore, the imaging unit 25 is also provided at a position lower than the height level of the upper surface opening C1 of the container C placed on the mounting table 22 b.

The door opening/closing detector 26 is provided in the vicinity of the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22, and is constituted by, for example, an optical sensor. The door opening/closing detector 26 detects opening/closing of the entrance 22d by the opening/closing door 23, and more specifically, detects whether the entrance 22d is closed, that is, whether the opening/closing door 23 is closed. The door opening/closing detector 26 supplies the detection result of whether the opening/closing door 23 is closed to the controller 30.

The door opening/closing locking mechanism 27 is provided in the vicinity of the inlet 22d of the beverage supplying section 22. The door opening/closing lock mechanism 27 is capable of switching between a locked state in which the opening/closing door 23 that closes the entrance 22d is kept closed and forward swing of the opening/closing door 23 is restricted, and a released state in which forward swing of the opening/closing door 23 is allowed. The switching of the door opening/closing lock mechanism 27 is performed in response to a command provided from the control unit 30.

The hood mechanism 28 has a hood main body portion 28a and an actuator 28 b. As shown in fig. 4 (c) and (d), the cover main body portion 28a is a box-like body formed in an コ shape when viewed from the side, and is disposed so that the imaging portion 25 is sandwiched between the upper wall portion 281 and the lower wall portion 282. The cover main body portion 28a is provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis L in fig. 4. The cap body 28a is biased by a cap spring (not shown) and covers the imaging surface 25a of the imaging unit 25 in a normal state as shown in fig. 4 (a) and (c). The actuator 28b is configured by, for example, a solenoid, and when driven, rotates the cover main body portion 28a against the biasing force of the cover spring to expose the imaging surface 25a of the imaging unit 25 as shown in fig. 4 (b) and (d).

The light source unit 29 is provided in the beverage supply unit 22 and incorporates an LED 29a as a light source member. The light source unit 29 is turned on by the LED 29a to irradiate the inside of the beverage supplying portion 22 through the light source opening 22f formed in the wall portion of the beverage supplying portion 22.

Here, the positional relationship between the light source unit 29 and the imaging unit 25 will be described. As shown in fig. 5, the imaging unit 25 is disposed at a position other than the irradiation direction m of the LED 29a constituting the light source unit 29.

The control unit 30 is electrically connected to the beverage producing unit 11, the display unit 21, the container detecting unit 24, the imaging unit 25, the door opening/closing detecting unit 26, the door opening/closing locking mechanism 27, the cover mechanism 28, and the light source unit 29, and the control unit 30 controls the operations of these units in a unified manner in accordance with programs and data stored in the storage unit 31 which are also electrically connected to these units. The control unit 30 includes a container determination processing unit (container determination means) 30a, and the container determination processing unit 30a determines the type of the container C in the later-described container type determination process.

The control Unit 30 may be realized by causing a Processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a program, that is, by software, or may be realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or may be realized by using both software and hardware.

The storage unit 31 stores a correspondence table 31a, and the correspondence table 31a stores the relationship between the image information generated by the imaging unit 25 and the type of the container C.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the beverage supply control process performed by the control unit 30 shown in fig. 2. The operation of the beverage supply device will be described while describing the processing content of the beverage supply control processing.

In this beverage supply control process, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the container detection unit 24 detects the presence of a container C in the beverage supply unit 22 (step S110). That is, the container detector 24 detects whether or not the container C is placed on the placement table 22 b. When the presence of the container C is detected (step S110: YES), the control unit 30 determines whether the opening/closing door 23 is closed or not based on the detection result of the door opening/closing detector 26 (step S120). On the other hand, if no container C is detected (NO at step S110), the control unit 30 repeats the determination process at step S110.

If the opening/closing door 23 is not closed in step S120 (no in step S120), the control unit 30 repeats the determination process of step S120. On the other hand, when the open/close door 23 is closed (step S120: YES), the control unit 30 locks the open/close door 23 in the closed state by using the door open/close lock mechanism 27 (step S130), and performs a process of determining the type of container (step S140).

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the determination processing of the type of container in fig. 6. In the process of determining the type of container, the control unit 30 turns on the LED 29a constituting the light source unit 29 and drives the actuator 28b of the cover mechanism 28 (step S141, step S142). Thereby, the inside of the beverage supply unit 22 is irradiated with the LED 29a, and the cover main body portion 28a rotates against the biasing force of the cover spring to expose the imaging surface 25a of the imaging unit 25. That is, the imaging unit 25 can perform imaging through the imaging opening 22 e. The control unit 30 acquires the image information read and generated by the imaging unit 25 (step S143).

Then, the control unit 30 reads the correspondence table 31a from the storage unit 31 by the container determination processing unit 30a (step S144), and determines the type of the container C from the image information and the correspondence table 31a (step S145). More specifically, it is determined whether or not the shape of the container C in the digitized information obtained by digitizing the image information matches the digitized information in the correspondence table 31a, and the type of the container C that matches is determined.

The control unit 30 that determines the type of the container C in this manner stops driving the actuator 28b and turns off the LED 29a (step S146, step S147). As a result, only the biasing force of the cap spring acts, and the cap body 28a rotates to cover the imaging surface 25a of the imaging unit 25, thereby ending the irradiation of the beverage supply unit 22. After that, the control unit 30 returns the process to end the present determination process of the type of container.

The control unit 30 having performed the process of determining the type of the container in this manner displays the beverage corresponding to the container C of the type determined in step S140, that is, the beverage to be supplied, on the display unit 21, and performs a guidance display for guiding the touch to the input unit 21a on which the confirmation character is displayed (step S150).

After that, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the input unit 21a is touched (step S160). If the input unit 21a is not touched (no in step S160), the control unit 30 repeats the determination process in step S160. On the other hand, when the input unit 21a is touched (step S160: "YES"), the control unit 30 causes the beverage producing unit 11 to produce and supply the beverage to be supplied (step S170). Thereafter, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the beverage supply by the beverage producing unit 11 is completed (step S180). If the supply of the beverage is not completed (no in step S180), the control unit 30 returns to step S170 to continue the process of generating and supplying the beverage. On the other hand, when the beverage supply is completed (step S180: "YES"), the control unit 30 unlocks the door open/close lock mechanism 27 from the closed state of the open/close door 23 (step S190), and then returns the process to the end of the present beverage supply control process.

As described above, in the beverage supplying apparatus, the imaging unit 25 and the control unit 30 constitute an information acquiring unit that acquires image information of the container C.

In addition, according to the beverage supply apparatus, since the imaging unit 25 is provided at a position lower than the height level of the upper surface opening C1 of the container C placed on the placement base 22b, the imaging unit 25 can perform imaging satisfactorily without being affected by hot air or the like generated by the beverage discharged from the nozzle 22a to the container C.

According to the beverage supply device, the cover mechanism 28 covers the imaging surface 25a of the imaging unit 25 in the normal state, and exposes the imaging surface 25a when the imaging unit 25 is to perform imaging, so that contamination of the imaging surface 25a with a beverage or the like can be suppressed, and thus the imaging unit 25 can perform imaging satisfactorily.

According to the beverage supply device, since the opening/closing door 23 for opening/closing the inlet 22d of the beverage supply port is formed by processing for reducing light transmission, when the image pickup unit 25 picks up the image information of the container C, it is possible to suppress influence of an external light source such as illumination of a shop, prevent erroneous determination from occurring, and improve the accuracy of determination of the type of the container C.

According to the beverage supply device, in a state where the opening/closing door 23 is closed and the inlet 22d of the beverage supply unit 22 is closed, the LED 29a is turned on to irradiate the inside of the beverage supply unit 22, so that the image pickup unit 25 can favorably acquire image information and prevent erroneous determination from occurring, thereby enabling improvement in the accuracy of determination of the type of the container C.

According to the beverage supply device, the imaging unit 25 is provided at a position other than the irradiation direction m of the LED 29a constituting the light source unit 29, and therefore, when the container C is not formed of a transparent material, a shadow portion due to the container C can be imaged, and on the other hand, when the container C is formed of a transparent material, a shadow portion due to the container C cannot be imaged. That is, the type of the container C can be determined based on the presence or absence of the shadow in the range to be imaged, and the accuracy of the determination can be improved.

According to the above beverage supply device, when the opening/closing door 23 swings backward, the guide piece 23b of the opening/closing door 23 abuts on the bottom of the container C to guide the container C to the information acquirable region S, and when the opening/closing door 23 closes the entrance 22d of the beverage supply unit 22, the bottom of the container C is sandwiched between the guide piece 23b and the stopper 22C to dispose the container C in the information acquirable region S.

According to the beverage supply device, the opening/closing door 23 is locked while the beverage generating part 11 is supplying the beverage, so that the user can be prevented from being burned or the like.

While preferred embodiment 1 of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible.

In embodiment 1 described above, the image information of the container C is acquired to determine the type of the container C, but the determination of the type of the container C may be performed by acquiring information such as height information, temperature information, and color information of the container by various sensors, if necessary.

In embodiment 1 described above, the imaging unit 25 images the container C through the imaging opening 22e, but in the present invention, the eaves 35 may be provided on the upper portion of the imaging opening 22e as shown in fig. 8. This can prevent the imaging surface 25a of the imaging unit 25 from being contaminated by splashing of the beverage when the beverage is supplied to the container C. Alternatively, a wiper (wiper) or the like may be provided for periodically wiping the imaging surface 25a of the imaging unit 25.

In embodiment 1 described above, the imaging unit 25 captures an image of the container C, but in the present invention, the imaging unit may capture an image of the container reflected on the mirror surface to acquire image information of the container.

In embodiment 1 described above, when the access 22d of the beverage supply unit 22 is closed by the opening/closing door 23, the guide piece 23b sandwiches the bottom of the container C between the guide piece 23b and the stopper 22C to dispose the container C in the information acquirable region S, but in the present invention, the guide piece does not need to sandwich the container between the guide piece and the stopper, and may be brought into contact with the bottom of the container to guide the container to the information acquirable region only when the opening/closing door is swung in the closing direction.

< embodiment 2>

Fig. 9 and 10 each show a beverage supply device according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an external configuration, and fig. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system. The beverage supply device exemplified here is a coffee machine installed in a store such as a convenience store, for example, and supplies a beverage such as coffee to a container D such as a cup by performing processing such as coffee bean grinding and extraction of dripping liquid. This beverage supply device includes a device main body 2.

The apparatus main body 2 includes a main body cabinet 40 and a front surface door 50. The main body cabinet 40 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open front surface. A beverage producing unit 41 for producing a beverage (e.g., coffee) is provided inside the main body cabinet 40.

The front surface door 50 is a door body having a size sufficient to close the opening of the front surface of the main body cabinet 40. The front door 50 is provided at one front edge of the main body cabinet 40 so as to be swingable around a central axis of a shaft portion, not shown, extending in the vertical direction, and is capable of opening and closing the opening of the front surface of the main body cabinet 40.

The front surface of the front door 50 constitutes a customer service plane, and the front door 50 is provided with a display unit 51, a beverage supply unit 52, and an opening/closing door 53. The display unit 51 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel, displays various information, and has a selection unit 51a capable of selecting a beverage by performing an input operation such as a touch operation. The selection part 51a is provided according to the type of beverage.

The beverage supply unit 52 is provided below the display unit 51, and includes a nozzle 52a and a mounting table 52 b. The nozzle 52a is used to discharge the beverage produced in the beverage producing unit 41 downward. The mounting table 52b is provided in a region below the nozzle 52 a. The mounting table 52b is used to mount the container D, and is provided with an arc-shaped stopper 52 c.

The opening/closing door 53 is made of a translucent material such as a transparent resin, and has a size sufficient to cover the inlet 52d of the beverage supply portion 52. The left end of the opening/closing door 53 is pivotally supported by the front surface door 50, so that the opening/closing door 53 can swing in the front-rear direction. That is, the opening/closing door 53 can swing in the front-rear direction so as to approach and separate from the drink supply unit 52, and can close the inlet 52d of the drink supply unit 52 when swinging rearward so as to approach the drink supply unit 52, and can open the inlet 52d of the drink supply unit 52 when swinging forward so as to separate from the drink supply unit 52.

As shown in fig. 10, the beverage supply device includes a container detector 54, an image pickup unit 55, a door opening/closing detector 56, a door opening/closing locking mechanism 57, and a controller 60.

The container detector 54 is composed of, for example, an optical sensor, and detects whether or not the container D is placed on the beverage supply unit 52, that is, whether or not the container D is placed on the placement table 52 b. The container detector 54 supplies the detection result of the presence or absence of the container D to the controller 60.

The imaging unit 55 is provided in the beverage supply unit 52, and is mounted with, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or the like. The imaging unit 55 images the container D placed on the mounting table 52b to generate image information of the container D. The imaging unit 55 supplies the generated image information to the control unit 60.

The door opening/closing detector 56 is provided in the vicinity of the inlet 52d of the beverage supply unit 52, and is constituted by, for example, an optical sensor. The door opening/closing detector 56 detects opening/closing of the entrance 52d by the opening/closing door 53, and more specifically, detects whether the entrance 52d is closed, that is, whether the opening/closing door 53 is closed. The door opening/closing detector 56 supplies the controller 60 with the detection result of whether the opening/closing door 53 is closed.

The door opening/closing locking mechanism 57 is provided in the vicinity of the inlet 52d of the beverage supplying part 52. The door opening/closing lock mechanism 57 is capable of switching between a locked state in which the opening/closing door 53 that closes the entrance 52d is kept closed and forward swing of the opening/closing door 53 is restricted, and a released state in which forward swing of the opening/closing door 53 is allowed. The switching of the door opening/closing lock mechanism 57 is performed in response to a command supplied from the control unit 60.

The controller 60 is electrically connected to the beverage producing unit 41, the display unit 51, the container detector 54, the imaging unit 55, the door opening/closing detector 56, and the door opening/closing locking mechanism 57, and the controller 60 controls the operations of these units in a unified manner according to the program and data stored in the storage unit 58 which are also electrically connected to the controller. The control unit 60 includes a container determination processing unit (container determination means) 60a, and the container determination processing unit 60a determines the type of the container D in a container type determination process described later.

The control Unit 60 may be realized by executing a program, that is, software, by a Processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or may be realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or may be realized by using both software and hardware.

The storage unit 58 stores a correspondence table 58a and reference information 58 b. The correspondence table 58a is information used in the process of determining the type of container, and stores the relationship between the image information generated by the imaging unit 55 and the type of container D. The reference information 58b is information used in the imaging unit contamination determination process described later, is information obtained by digitizing image information obtained by the beverage supply unit 52 at the initial stage of imaging, and includes marks such as lines and patterns formed in the beverage supply unit 52.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the beverage supply control process performed by the control unit 60 shown in fig. 10. The operation of the beverage supply device will be described while describing the processing content of the beverage supply control processing.

In this beverage supply control process, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the container detection unit 54 detects the presence of a container D in the beverage supply unit 52 (step S210). That is, the container detector 54 detects whether or not the container D is placed on the mounting table 52 b. When the presence of the container D is detected (YES in step S210), the control unit 60 performs a process of determining the type of the container (step S220). On the other hand, if the presence of the container D is not detected (NO at step S210), the control unit 60 repeats the determination process at step S210.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the determination processing of the type of container in fig. 11. In the process of determining the type of container, the container determination processing unit 60a of the control unit 60 acquires the image information read and generated by the imaging unit 55 (step S221).

Then, the container determination processing unit 60a reads the correspondence table 58a from the storage unit 58 (step S222), and determines the type of the container D from the image information and the correspondence table 58a (step S223). More specifically, it is determined whether or not the ratio of the diameter (maximum width) a and the height b of the upper surface opening D1 of the container D in the digitized information obtained by digitizing the image information matches the ratio of the diameter and the height in the digitized information in the correspondence table 58a as shown in fig. 13, and the type of the container D that matches is determined. The control unit 60 that determines the type of the container D returns the process to end the present determination process of the type of the container.

The control unit 60 that has performed the process of determining the type of container in this manner determines whether the open/close door 53 is closed based on the detection result of the door opening/closing detection unit 56 (step S230). When the opening/closing door 53 is not closed (no in step S230), the determination process in step S230 is repeated. On the other hand, when the openable door 53 is closed (step S230: "YES"), the control unit 60 locks the openable door 53 in the closed state by the door opening/closing lock mechanism 57 (step S240).

Then, the control unit 60 enters a standby state in which the selection unit 51a of the standby display unit 51 is selected by being touched by the user (step S250). When the selection unit 51a is selected (step S250: YES), the control unit 60 determines whether or not the beverage associated with the container D determined in step S220 matches the beverage selected by the selection unit 51a (step S260).

If the two are not matched (step S260: no), the control unit 60 causes the display unit 51 to display a message prompting the user to select the selected object again (step S270), and the process returns to step S250.

On the other hand, if they match (YES in step S260), the control unit 60 causes the beverage producing unit 41 to produce and supply the beverage to be supplied (step S280). After that, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the beverage supply by the beverage generating unit 41 is completed (step S290). If the supply of the beverage is not completed (no in step S290), the control unit 60 returns to step S280 to continue the process of generating and supplying the beverage. On the other hand, when the beverage supply is completed (step S290: "YES"), the control unit 60 unlocks the door opening/closing locking mechanism 57 from the closed state of the opening/closing door 53 (step S300), and then returns the process to the end of the present beverage supply control process.

As described above, in the beverage supplying apparatus, the image pickup unit 55 and the control unit 60 constitute an information acquiring unit that acquires image information of the container D.

In such a beverage supply device, the following image pickup portion contamination determination process is performed in accordance with a predetermined time schedule (time schedule) regardless of the supply of the beverage.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the image pickup portion contamination determination processing executed by the control portion 60 shown in fig. 10.

In the imaging unit contamination determination process, the control unit 60 acquires the image information read and generated by the imaging unit 55 (step S311), and reads the reference information 58b from the storage unit 58 (step S312).

Then, the control unit 60 compares the image information with the reference information 58b to determine whether or not the mark (characteristic portion) included in the reference information 58b is included in the image information (step S313).

If it is determined that there is a feature portion (yes in step S313), the control unit 60 determines that the imaging unit 55 is not contaminated (step S314), and returns the process to end the current process.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no characteristic portion (step S313: NO), the control unit 60 determines that the imaging unit 55 is contaminated (step S315). The control unit 60, which thus determines that the imaging unit 55 is contaminated, performs a display prompting the display unit 51 to clean the imaging unit 55 (step S316), and then returns the process to end the current processing.

As described above, according to the beverage supply device according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, the control unit 60 compares the beverage selected by the selection unit 51a for selecting a beverage with the beverage associated with the pod D determined by the pod determination processing unit 60a, and causes the beverage generation unit 41 to start generating a beverage and supplying the beverage to the pod D when the beverage matches the beverage, while causing the selection unit 51a to select a beverage again when the beverage does not match the beverage, so that it is possible to present a display of intention to the user during the supply of the beverage, and supply the beverage desired by the user, compared to the case where only the beverage associated with the determined pod can be selected as in the related art.

According to the beverage supplying apparatus, the container determination processing unit 60a of the control unit 60 determines the type of the container D based on the ratio of the diameter a and the height b of the upper surface opening D1 of the container D in the comparison of the image information and the correspondence table 58a, and therefore, the accuracy of determining the type of the container D can be improved without being affected by the change in the size of the container D in the image information depending on the arrangement position of the container D.

Further, according to the beverage supply device, the control unit 60 compares the image information of the predetermined area of the beverage supply unit 52 acquired in accordance with the predetermined schedule with the reference information 58b stored in the storage unit 58 to determine the contamination of the image pickup unit 55, and if it is determined that the image pickup unit 55 is contaminated, the display unit 51 performs a display to prompt cleaning of the image pickup unit 55 to notify, so that a manager such as a store clerk is prompted to clean the image pickup unit 55, the chance of erroneous determination is reduced, and the accuracy of determination of the type of the container D can be improved.

Further, according to the beverage supply device, since the type of the container D is determined by the container detection unit 54 after the presence of the container D in the beverage supply unit 52, the timing of the determination is uniquely determined, and erroneous determination can be prevented.

Further, the type of the container D is determined before the opening/closing door 53 is closed, that is, before the inlet 52D of the beverage supply unit 52 is closed, and thus the time required for supplying the beverage can be shortened.

Further, according to the beverage supply device, the opening/closing door 53 is locked while the beverage is supplied from the beverage generating unit 41, and therefore, it is possible to prevent a user from being burned or the like.

While preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible.

In embodiment 2 described above, the image information of the container D is acquired to perform the process of determining the type of the container D, but the process of determining the type of the container D may be performed by acquiring information such as height information, temperature information, and color information of the container D by various sensors or the like as necessary.

In embodiment 2 described above, the type of the container D is determined by the container detection unit 54 after the presence of the container D in the beverage supply unit 52 is determined, but in the present invention, the type of the container D may be determined after the open/close door 53 is determined to be closed.

In embodiment 2 described above, in the beverage supply control process, the control unit 60 returns the process to step S250 after the display unit 51 performs the display to prompt the re-selection when the beverage associated with the pod D determined by the pod type determination process does not match the beverage selected by the selection unit 51a (step S260: "no"), but in the present invention, the control unit 60 may return the process to step S220 when the beverage associated with the pod D determined by the pod type determination process does not match the beverage selected by the selection unit 51a (step S260: "no"). That is, when the beverage selected by the selection unit does not match the beverage associated with the container determined by the container determination unit, the control unit may cause the information acquisition unit to newly acquire the information of the container, cause the container determination unit to determine the type of the container, and cause the selection unit to select the beverage again.

Accordingly, not only can the user be presented with a display of the intention during the supply of the beverage, but also the user can select the beverage after the determination of the type of the container is made again, and even if the determination is wrong due to insufficient image information acquired first, the determination can be made again, and the beverage originally intended by the user can be supplied.

In embodiment 2 described above, the selection is performed by the selection unit 51a after the determination of the type of the container D is performed, but it may be possible to select another beverage having the same price as the beverage associated with the determined container D by the selection unit 51a after the determination of the type of the container D is performed. Therefore, the user can reselect the beverage within the same price range, and the beverage originally desired by the user can be supplied.

Although not described in embodiment 2 above, the control unit 60 may be configured to generate the beverage selected by the selection unit 51a without performing the determination of step S260 and supply the beverage to the container D when the type of the container D cannot be determined.

Although not described in embodiment 2 above, the container determination processing unit (container determination means) 30a of the control unit 60 may correct the parameter range of the numerical information in the image information acquired via the imaging unit 55 based on the beverage supply history.

Although not described in embodiment 2 above, the imaging unit 55 may be provided in plural number instead of one. In this case, the control unit 60 may determine the type of the container D by using the image information captured by the plurality of image capturing units 55 according to a predetermined priority and comparing the image information with the correspondence table 58 a.

Although not described in embodiment 2 above, when there are a plurality of pieces of image information generated and acquired by the imaging unit 55, the type of the container D may be determined when the number of times of comparison with the correspondence table 58a matches a predetermined number of times.

In embodiment 2 described above, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the beverage supply by the beverage producing unit 41 is completed in step S290, but the determination may be made using image information captured and acquired by the imaging unit 55.

Although not described in embodiment 2 above, in the determination process of the type of container, the container determination processing unit 60a of the control unit 60 may perform the determination when the identification information unique to the service provider attached to the container D (for example, a store-specific identifier (logomark)) is detected from the image information acquired by the imaging unit 55. This makes it possible to avoid the supply of beverages to containers other than the service provider's container (containers brought by the user from outside the store).

Description of the reference numerals

1: a device main body; 10: a main body cabinet; 11: a beverage generating part; 20: a front surface door; 21: a display unit; 21 a: an input section; 22: a beverage supply section; 22 a: a nozzle; 22 b: a mounting table; 22 c: a stopper; 22 d: an inlet; 23: opening and closing the door; 24: a container detection unit; 25: an image pickup unit; 26: a door opening/closing detection unit; 27: a door opening and closing locking mechanism; 28: a cover mechanism; 28 a: a cover main body portion; 28 b: an actuator; 29: a light source unit; 29 a: an LED; 30: a control unit; 30 a: a container determination processing unit; 31: a storage unit; 31 a: a correspondence table; c: a container; s: an information area may be acquired.

Claims

1. A beverage supply device for supplying a beverage produced by a beverage producing unit to a container disposed in the beverage supply unit,

an image information acquisition unit for acquiring image information of the container by imaging the container by an imaging unit,

wherein the imaging unit is provided at a position lower than a height level of the upper surface opening of the container.

2. The beverage supplying apparatus according to claim 1,

the beverage supply device further includes a cover mechanism that covers an imaging surface of the imaging unit in a normal state, and that exposes the imaging surface when the image information acquisition unit acquires the image information of the container.

3. The beverage supplying apparatus according to claim 2,

the beverage supply device further comprises a container detection unit for detecting that the container is disposed in the beverage supply unit,

the cover mechanism exposes the imaging surface when the container detection unit detects that the container is disposed.

4. The beverage supplying apparatus according to claim 2,

the beverage supply device further includes:

an opening/closing door for opening/closing an inlet of the beverage supply unit; and

a door opening/closing detection unit for detecting opening/closing of the entrance by the opening/closing door,

the cover mechanism exposes the imaging surface on condition that the door opening/closing detector detects that the entrance is closed.

5. The beverage supplying apparatus according to claim 1,

the image information acquiring unit acquires image information of the container by imaging the container through an imaging opening formed in the beverage supply unit by the imaging unit,

an eaves is arranged on the upper part of the camera shooting opening.

6. The beverage supplying apparatus according to claim 1,

the image information acquiring unit acquires image information of the container by imaging the container reflected on a mirror surface by the imaging unit.

7. A beverage supply device for supplying a beverage generated by a beverage generation unit to a container disposed in a beverage supply unit, the beverage supply device comprising:

an image information acquisition unit that acquires image information of the container; and

a container determination unit that determines a type of the container based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit,

wherein the container determination unit makes a determination based on a ratio of a maximum amplitude of an upper surface opening of the container to a height of the container in the image information.

8. The beverage supplying apparatus according to claim 7,

the beverage supply device further includes a container detection unit for detecting that the container is disposed in the beverage supply unit,

the container determining means determines the type of the container when the container detecting section detects that the container is disposed.

9. The beverage supplying apparatus according to claim 7,

the beverage supply device further includes:

wherein the container determination unit determines the type of the container on the condition that the door open/close detection unit detects that the inlet is closed.