Abstract:
A beverage dispenser apparatus and method for dispensing a beverage, be it soda, beer or frozen “slushy” type is provided with a direct or indirect mounted game type controller for operating and dispensing the beverage. Additional features such as game displays, audio and or additional dispensing functions, such as adding flavoring, and vending may be controlled via the game type control. The vending operation may be initiated by money deposits or acceptance of some type card such as a debit, credit or other card.

Description:
DISCLOSURE  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/601,738 entitled “Beverage Dispenser With Game Controller,” filed on Aug. 13, 2004. This application and invention relates to a beverage dispenser, and more particularity to a beverages dispenser having a game type interface for controlling the functions of the beverage dispenser, such as, but not limited to, one for dispensing drink or semi-frozen products. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Heretofore, it has been known to provide a beverage dispenser, including remote towers, for various beverages such as, for example, soda or “slushy” type products, with functional controls which are operated by, for example, pressing a cup against a lever associated with the dispensing nozzle or pushing a button on the dispenser to select a drink or flavor. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,774, which shows buttons on a dispenser to control the size of the drink dispensed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling a beverage dispenser, be it for drink, such as soda, or a slushy type product such as a frozen or iced product, as for example frozen carbonated beverages, with a multi-position game type controller or customer interface. The game type controller is of the type utilized on controlling computer games, say a lever, joystick or joysticks with one or more buttons or a multiple button controller. The novel controller of the present invention, apparatus and method can be mounted directly on the dispenser and/or connected to the dispenser by cabling as in a computer game. The controller can be used retrofitted to an existing dispenser and/or built into a new dispenser. Either type dispenser can have game type functions, audio functions, and if desired, a monitor for displaying the games, audio and or dispenser operation. The dispenser can be coin or dollar bill operated, or made to take a debit or credit card, via an appropriate coin, bill and/or card slot on or associated with the dispenser. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a dispenser of the present invention fitted with a joystick type control mounted by cable to the dispenser.  
         [0005]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a dispenser illustrating overall operation.  
         [0006]      FIG. 3  is a further schematic view showing a variety of control systems that can be used with the dispenser.  
         [0007]      FIGS. 4A , B, C, D, E, F, G and H show other examples of the type of controller or customer interface that could be used with the dispenser method and apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 5  is a schematic showing how one of the game type interfaces shown, for example, in  FIGS. 4A  to  4 D can be installed on a dispenser.  
         [0009]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of one type controller that could be used to control a dispenser, be it a retrofitted or new dispenser.  
         [0010]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of another joystick type controller that could be used to control a dispenser be it a retrofitted or new dispenser.  
         [0011]      FIG. 8  is a view of an existing dispenser retrofitted with one of the several controllers disclosed herein, and two vend slots for card, coin and or bill operation.  
         [0012]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of a new dispenser fitted with one of the several controllers described herein and two vend slots.  
         [0013]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another style two-product dispenser with a built in video monitor therein and two game type controllers and a single vend slot.  
         [0014]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of yet another style two-product dispenser with a built in video monitor and showing one of two controllers installed therein and a single vend slot. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a dispenser  10  is shown and has a housing  12  on which are mounted one or more, in this instance two, but could be as many as twelve or more dispensing devices  14  and  18 . These devices may dispense one or more different products, be it drink, beverage, beer, or frozen products, by way of example and not limitation.  
         [0016]     The dispensing devices  14  and  18  are, of course, connected to one or more sources of product and say, for example, additional flavorings, and could include a drink dispenser nozzle (such as  64  of  FIG. 2 ) and a flavor mixing device (such as  100  of  FIG. 2 ). These components  64  and  100  could be separate or integrated and also separate and/or integral with the consumer interface as will be later described with reference to  FIGS. 4A  to  4 D and  5 . The dispenser  10  may have other functions, which will be further discussed with respect to  FIG. 2 . The housing  12  as shown has a drip tray  19  on its front below the dispensing devices  14  and  18 . The dispenser  10 , in this instance has a customer interface or controller  20 . In this instance, the controller  20  is in the form of a joystick, having a base  26  and at least one movable lever or joystick  28 . Of course, additional control buttons such as a “gun” button  29  on the top and/or on sides of the joystick  28  could be provided. It should be understood that this controller  20  could be provided with additional functions buttons such as triggers, as is known for game controllers. While the controller could be mounted directly on to the dispenser housing  12 , in this instance, it is cable connected, as is illustrated by cable  30 .  
         [0017]     The cable  30  connects to a control unit or box  34  which could be of any type, including analog, digital or microprocessor type. The dispensing devices, in this instance  14  and  18 , and particularly the valves thereof are connected by wiring  40  and  42  to the control box  34  so that manipulation of the controllers, via the control box  34 , controls the operation of the dispensing devices  14  and  18 .  
         [0018]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the dispenser  10 , may have multiple functions which can be controlled by the controller  20 . For example if the dispenser  10 , were for frozen carbonated beverage, it would have a CO 2  source  50 , a syrup source or sources  54 , and a water source  58 . These three ingredients would be directly or indirectly sent to a freezer chamber, such as a barrel,  60  and hence on demand and under operator control, via the controller  20 , to a dispense nozzle  64 . If desired, additional flavoring may be provided. In  FIG. 2  by way of example, three additional flavors  70 ,  72  and  74  are shown. Of course it should be understood that there could be additional products; there could also be additional flavors. The flavors are dispensed by, in this instance, a pump or plurality of pumps  76 ,  78  and  80 , through proportional solenoids  82 ,  84  and  86 . These solenoids prevent dripping and assure consistent metering of the flavors. The flavors then flow via lines  90 ,  92 , and  94 , to a mixing device, flavor injector, or diametric valve  100  to join the main product flow from the dispensing nozzle  64 . This construction is similar to either dispensing device  14  or  18 , and the product and flavor selected are dispensed into a cup or container  116 . The cup can rest upon a platform or turntable  118  which can rotate, say fast, slow or anywhere in between, and can be raised or lowered as indicated by the arrow  119  off of a surface  121 . One or more or all of the above operations can be controlled via the control box  34  and the operator controller  20 .  
         [0019]     Further, the control box  34  may be fitted with and/or used to control a card, such as debit or credit, coin or money (bills) operated or vending control  120 . See FIGS.  8  to  11 . Additionally various game type video displays and/or audio  124  could be provided, with one or more functions thereof controlled by the controller  20 . For example, the dispenser  10  could be fitted with a video monitor  125  (see  FIG. 1 ) on which beverage dispensing functions and/or video games and audio could be played and/or displayed.  
         [0020]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , various type controllers  20  are shown for use with the dispenser described. For example instead of the joystick with multiple buttons shown at  20 A (or similar to  FIG. 4C ), a touch screen or pad  20 B, or a “Game Pad”  20 C, or steering wheel  20 D, or other type controller could be used.  
         [0021]     The control box  34  and controller  20  can control the flavor addition or injection through, say relays  130 ,  132 ,  134  and  136 , in this instance there being four flavors source capable of being added. The controller  20  can control or operate the game displays on the monitor  125 , and game audio  140 , the coin or card operated vend  144 , the up-down, rotate either direction, turn table mechanism  148  and/or the dispense device, such as  14 ,  18  or and valve  64 . As to the vend unit  144 , it could also feature a card slot  144 A opening accessible from the exterior of the dispenser (see FIGS.  8  to  11 ) to receive (indicated by the dashed line) a vend/credit/debit type card  144 B to cause the dispenser to be put into operation to dispense. The hardware/software to accomplish this task while not generally known in this type dispenser art, would be known to a person skilled in the vending machine art. Note each product dispensed in the dispenser shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  has its own card slot. Alternative, slots  144 A could receive coins or dollars, or all these, coins, dollars or various cards. For example, the card could be a premium card given away free or at a discount to encourage usage or visitation to the established housing the dispenser. The dispenser in  FIGS. 10 and 11  show a single slot  144 A which would operate both or all products, and could, if desired, accommodate one or more of coins, bills and cards, such as card  144 B.  
         [0022]     Additional type controllers are shown in  FIGS. 4A  to  4 H. They are  4 A,  4 B,  4 E and  4 G multiple button,  4 C,  4 F and  4 H joystick and  4 D lever or tiller.  
         [0023]     The  FIG. 4A  design  160  features multiple flavor buttons  170 ,  172 ,  174  and  176  and electronic activation of flavors. The flavor selection buttons can be illuminated. The flow of dispensed product can be activated by pushing or pulling of the pivotable handle  178 . A single housing can be used for both this customer interface and flavor injector  100 . Variable flow rates can be achieved with either the position of the handle  178  or the pressing of one of the buttons.  
         [0024]     The  FIG. 4B  design  162  has multiple flavors selection by flavor buttons  180 ,  182 ,  184 ,  186  and  188 , the flavor being selected with the rotary style selection device  190 . There is electronic activation of flavors. The flavor selection button can be illuminated. Product dispense is activated by push of “Go” button  191 . Again, a single housing  189  can be provided for interface and flavor injector.  
         [0025]     The  FIG. 4C  design  164  has multiple flavors selection when the joystick is pressed toward a flavor selection button. Flavor flow rate can be joystick  210  variable. If a flavor button  192 ,  194 ,  194 ,  196 ,  198 ,  200 ,  202 ,  204 , or  206  is selected before flavors are, then joystick  210  direction would add flavors and change flow rate based on position from the resting point to the outer location. A flavor is selected when the joystick is pushed to the flavor location and electronic identification is made. There is electronic activation of flavors. Again, flavor selection can be illuminated. Product can be electronically dispensed or activated by push of joystick button  212 . Again, a single housing for interface and flavor injector can be provided. Variable flow rates can be achieved with either the position of the joystick or the use of one of the buttons.  
         [0026]     The  FIG. 4D  design  166  features multiple flavor that can be selected via flavor buttons  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226  and  228 . Flavors can stay illuminated when multiple flavors are selected. Flavors are being selected by pivoting a flavor control lever  231  on the fixed wheel rim  232 . Again there is electronic activation of flavors. The active flavor is magnified by lens in flavor selection magnifier  236 . The product dispensed can be activated by pushing a “Go” button  240 . Again, a single housing for interface and flavor injector can be provided. Variable product flow rates can be achieved with either the position of the joystick or the deflection of a button.  
         [0027]     Controllers  260  and  280  shown in  FIGS. 4E and 4G , respectively, are similar, with the former being connected to its associated dispenser by a cable  261  and with the latter mounted on the dispenser  263 D. With these controllers the buttons can be used either to dispense a beverage, be it drink, beer, frozen carbonated beverage or other type or to operate one or more video games and/or video displays. For example, one of the buttons, say button  262  or  282  can be used to select the dispense/video, game, audio options. For example, buttons  263  and  283  can be used to control any one or more of eight different flavor selections. For example, the various flavors could also be selected by using buttons  265  or  285 ,  266  or  286 ,  267  or  287 ,  268  or  288 , or the small joystick button  269  or  289 . Once a flavor is selected, the beverage and selected flavor is dispensed by pushing one of the buttons  270  or  290 . Thus, in one mode of button  262  or  282  the other of these buttons are used to dispense a flavored beverage, and in another mode of button  262  or  282  the other buttons can be used to play a game, say a video game.  
         [0028]     Further, alternatively, joystick type buttons  269 A and  269 B or  289 A and  289 B could be each used to dispense a first set of four flavors ( 269 A or  289 A) and a second set of four flavors ( 269 B or  289 B).  
         [0029]     Controllers  300  and  320  shown in  FIGS. 4F and 4H , respectively, are similar with the former being connected to its associated dispenser by a cable  301  and with the latter mounted on its associated dispenser, partially shown in  FIG. 4H  as  301 D. In these controllers the buttons can be used either to dispense a beverage, be it drink, beer, frozen carbonated beverage or other type beverage or to operate one or more video games and/or audio displays. For example, one of the buttons, say button  302  or  322  can be used to select the dispense/game/audio options. For example, buttons  305  and  325  and  308  and  328  can be used to control any one or more of different flavor selections. For example, the various flavors could also be selected by using buttons  306  or  326 ,  307  or  327 ,  308  or  328 , or the joystick  312  or  332  or button  309  or  329 . Once a flavor is selected, the drink beverage and selected flavor is dispensed by pushing one of the two triggers or buttons  310  or  330 . Thus, in one mode of button and device  302  to  312  ( FIG. 4F ) or  322  to  332  ( FIG. 4H ), the other of these buttons are used to dispense a flavored beverage and in another mode the other buttons can be used to play a game, say a video game, or audio output. Optionally, these devices could connect with a video monitor. All the devices in  FIGS. 4A  to  4 H could, if desired, have similar or other functions.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a dispenser  10 ′ similar to dispenser  10 , except instead of having the separate joystick controller  20  of  FIG. 1 , it has two of the interfaces  164 , using joysticks like that shown in  FIG. 4C . Of course, any of the interfaces or controllers shown herein, such as like  160 ,  162 ,  164  or  166  shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B ,  4 D,  4 G or  4 H could be directly mounted onto the dispenser  10 ′, and preferably over a respective dispensing devices  14  and  18 , each including a dispenser nozzle (like  64 ) and flavor mixer (like  100 ). As is shown, the nozzles  64  are connected to the control box  34  by wires  40  and  42 , while the interfaces in controller  164  are connected by wiring or cables  30  and  30 ′ (in this instance cables  30  and  30 ′ would be when installed interior of the dispenser housing). Again, a video monitor  125  for displaying games, audio output and/or dispenser operation may be optionally fitted, either as a built in for a new dispenser unit or retrofitted to an existing dispenser.  
         [0031]     Other features could be controlled, such as selecting a carbonated or non-carbonated drink and/or the levels of carbonation by the controller  20  or one of the interfaces or controllers of  FIGS. 4A  to  4 H,  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , another style controller  400  is disclosed which could be connected by cable (not shown) or built into the dispenser (not shown). In this dispenser  400 , one of the buttons  404  could be used to dispense one or more, of say four flavors, The button  408  could be used to dispense the beverage product. A button  410  could be used to cancel initial selections.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , yet another joystick style controller  460  is disclosed which could be connected by a cable (not shown) or built into the dispenser (not shown). In this controller  460 , for example, moving the joystick  464  could select one of several, say eight or more flavors, while squeezing the trigger  468  could cancel a previous selection, and squeezing the handle  470 , could dispense the flavored product.  
         [0034]     While various button/trigger assignments were made above with respect to the disclosed controllers, their functions could of course be switched or swapped from the disclosed buttons/triggers to others. For example, the function of button  404  or  408  could be swapped.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an existing dispenser  500  is shown retrofitted with two controllers  504  and  508  similar to that shown in  FIG. 4G  or  FIG. 6 . A video monitor (not shown) could, if desired, be also retrofitted.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a dispenser  520  is shown retrofitted with two controllers  524  and  528  similar to that shown in  FIG. 7 . Again a video monitor (not shown), optionally, could, if desired, also be retrofitted.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a dispenser  540  is shown, fitted with two controllers  544  and  548  along with a video monitor  552  flat screen or cathode ray, built into the dispenser housing  556 .  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , another dispenser  560  is shown fitted with one of two controllers  564 , the other not yet having been installed or plugged in yet into the controller receiving socket  566 . As noted, the controllers and dispenser could be of a modular construction permitting easy changeout for repair or even change of controller style. Again, a video monitor  568  is built into the dispenser housing  570 . As shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , the dispensers can be provided with a slot  144 A, which could accommodate (insertion being indicated by the dashed line) a coin or dollar bill or debit/credit or other card  144 B to initial operation of the unit. If coin or money in bill form is provided, a coin return/refund system and slot (not shown), could be provided.  
         [0039]     It should also be understood that the game type controller be it of the separate cable attached type or type mounted on the dispenser, could be incorporated into new dispensers and/or retrofitted to existing dispensers. Also the nozzle and flavor mix valve (such as  64  and  100 ) could be separate parts or integrated together, and in the latter case also integrated with a direct mount type interface, such as is shown, for example, in any of  FIGS. 4A  and/or  4 D, or other figures of the drawings.