Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9275193B2/en
Timestamp: 2018-06-24 11:51:11
Document Index: 525220799

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 61', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'application No. 08829307', 'application No. 08829202']

US9275193B2 - Processing system and method - Google Patents
Processing system and method Download PDF
US9275193B2
US9275193B2 US12205679 US20567908A US9275193B2 US 9275193 B2 US9275193 B2 US 9275193B2 US 12205679 US12205679 US 12205679 US 20567908 A US20567908 A US 20567908A US 9275193 B2 US9275193 B2 US 9275193B2
US12205679
US20090069922A1 (en )
Todd A. Ballantyne
A method and computer program product for monitoring one or more processes occurring during a first portion of a multi-portion recipe being executed on a processing device to obtain data concerning at least of portion of the one or more processes. At least a portion of the data is stored. The availability of the at least a portion of the data is enabled to one or more processes occurring during a second portion of the multi-portion recipe.
This disclosure claims the priority of the following patent applications, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/092,394, entitled “PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD” and filed 27 Aug. 2008; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/970,494, entitled “VIRTUAL MANIFOLD SYSTEM AND METHOD” and filed 6 Sep. 2007; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/970,493, entitled “FSM SYSTEM AND METHOD” and filed 6 Sep. 2007; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/970,495, entitled “VIRTUAL MACHINE SYSTEM AND METHOD” and filed 6 Sep. 2007.
In a first implementation, a method includes monitoring one or more processes occurring during a first portion of a multi-portion recipe being executed on a processing device to obtain data concerning at least of portion of the one or more processes. At least a portion of the data is stored. The availability of the at least a portion of the data is enabled to one or more processes occurring during a second portion of the multi-portion recipe.
One or more of the following features may be included. The first portion of a multi-portion recipe may be executed within a first manifold of the processing device. The first manifold may be chosen from the group consisting of: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold.
The second portion of a multi-portion recipe may be executed within a second manifold of the processing device. The second manifold may be chosen from the group consisting of: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold.
The data obtained may be chosen from the group consisting of: ingredient data and processing data. Enabling the availability of the at least a portion of the data may include routing the data to one or more processes occurring during the second portion of the multi-portion recipe.
Storing at least a portion of the data may include archiving the data in a nonvolatile memory system for subsequent diagnostic purposes. Storing at least a portion of the data includes temporarily writing the data to a volatile memory system.
The one or more processes monitored may be executed within a single manifold of the processing device. The one or more processes monitored may be representative of a single portion of a multi-portion procedure executed within a single manifold of the processing device.
In another implementation, a computer program product resides on a computer readable medium that has a plurality of instructions stored on it. When executed by a processor, the instructions cause the processor to perform operations including monitoring one or more processes occurring during a first portion of a multi-portion recipe being executed on a processing device to obtain data concerning at least of portion of the one or more processes. At least a portion of the data is stored. The availability of the at least a portion of the data is enabled to one or more processes occurring during a second portion of the multi-portion recipe.
In another implementation, a method includes receiving instructions to generate a product on a processing device. The instructions are processed to determine if the product is a multi-component product. If the product is a multi-component product, a first recipe is identified to produce a first component of the multi-component product and at least a second recipe is identified to produce at least a second component of the multi-component product. The first and second recipes are chosen from a plurality of available recipes. The first and second recipes are executed.
One or more of the following features may be included. The first recipe may be executed within a first manifold of the processing device. The first manifold may be chosen from the group consisting of: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold.
The second recipe may be executed within a second manifold of the processing device. The second manifold may be chosen from the group consisting of: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold.
In another implementation, a computer program product resides on a computer readable medium that has a plurality of instructions stored on it. When executed by a processor, the instructions cause the processor to perform operations including receiving instructions to generate a product on a processing device. The instructions are processed to determine if the product is a multi-component product. If the product is a multi-component product, a first recipe is identified to produce a first component of the multi-component product and at least a second recipe is identified to produce at least a second component of the multi-component product. The first and second recipes are chosen from a plurality of available recipes. The first and second recipes are executed.
In another implementation, a process controller is configured to receive instructions to generate a product on a processing device. The instructions are processed to determine if the product is a multi-component product. If the product is a multi-component product, a first recipe is identified to produce a first component of the multi-component product and at least a second recipe is identified to produce at least a second component of the multi-component product. The first and second recipes are chosen from a plurality of available recipes. The first and second recipes are executed.
In another implementation, a method includes receiving an indication of a product to be produced on a processing device. A recipe for the product is identified, wherein the recipe is chosen from a plurality of available recipes. The recipe is processed to parse the recipe into a plurality of discrete states and define one or more state transitions. At least one finite state machine is defined for the recipe using at least a portion of the plurality of discrete states.
One or more of the following features may be included. The recipe may be executed within a manifold of the processing device. The manifold may be chosen from the group consisting of: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold. At least a portion of the plurality of discrete states may be sequential discrete states.
In another implementation, a computer program product resides on a computer readable medium that has a plurality of instructions stored on it. When executed by a processor, the instructions cause the processor to perform operations including receiving an indication of a product to be produced on a processing device. A recipe for the product is identified, wherein the recipe is chosen from a plurality of available recipes. The recipe is processed to parse the recipe into a plurality of discrete states and define one or more state transitions. At least one finite state machine is defined for the recipe using at least a portion of the plurality of discrete states.
In another implementation, a method includes receiving an indication of a multi-component product to be produced on a processing device. The multi-component product includes a first product component, and at least a second product component. A first recipe is identified for the first product component. The first recipe is chosen from a plurality of available recipes. A second recipe is identified for the second product component. The second recipe is chosen from the plurality of available recipes. The first and second recipes are processed to parse the first and second recipes into a plurality of discrete states and define one or more state transitions. A first finite state machine is defined for the first recipe using at least a first portion of the plurality of discrete states. A second finite state machine is defined for the second recipe using at least a second portion of the plurality of discrete states.
One or more of the following features may be included. The first product component may be produced within a first manifold of the processing device. The first manifold may be chosen from the group consisting of: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold.
The second product component may be produced within a second manifold of the processing device. The second manifold may be chosen from the group consisting of: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold. At least a portion of the plurality of discrete states may be sequential discrete states.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a virtual manifold process executed by the control logic subsystem of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a virtual machine process executed by the control logic subsystem of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of one embodiment of an FSM process executed by the control logic subsystem of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a first state diagram; and
FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a second state diagram.
Various combinations of the above-referenced electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, and software processes are discussed below. While combinations are described below that disclose e.g., the production of beverages and medicinal products (e.g., dialysates) using various subsystems, this is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure, rather, exemplary embodiments of ways in which the subsystems may work together to create/dispense a product. Specifically, the electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, and software processes (each of which will be discussed below in greater detail) may be used to produce any of the above-referenced products or any other products similar thereto.
During use of processing system 10, user 26 may select a particular product 28 for dispensing (into container 30) using user interface subsystem 22. Via user interface subsystem 22, user 26 may select one or more options for inclusion within such product. For example, options may include but are not limited to the addition of one or more ingredients. In one exemplary embodiment, the system is a system for dispensing a beverage. In this embodiment, the use may select various flavorings (e.g. including but not limited to lemon flavoring, lime flavoring, chocolate flavoring, and vanilla flavoring) into a beverage; the addition of one or more nutraceuticals (e.g. including but not limited to Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and Zinc) into a beverage; the addition of one or more other beverages (e.g. including but not limited to coffee, milk, lemonade, and iced tea) into a beverage; and the addition of one or more food products (e.g. ice cream, yogurt) into a beverage.
Referring also to FIG. 3, a diagrammatic view of high-volume ingredient subsystem 16 and plumbing/control subsystem 20 are shown. High-volume ingredient subsystem 16 may include containers for housing consumables that are used at a rapid rate when making beverage 28. For example, high-volume ingredient subsystem 16 may include carbon dioxide supply 150, water supply 152, and high fructose corn syrup supply 154. The high-volume ingredients, in some embodiments, may be located within close proximity to the other subsystems. An example of carbon dioxide supply 150 may include but is not limited to a tank (not shown) of compressed, gaseous carbon dioxide. An example of water supply 152 may include but is not limited to a municipal water supply (not shown), a distilled water supply, a filtered water supply, a reverse-osmosis (“RO”) water supply or other desired water supply. An example of high fructose corn syrup supply 154 may include but is not limited to one or more tank(s) (not shown) of highly-concentrated, high fructose corn syrup, or one or more bag-in-box packages of high-fructose corn syrup.
High-volume, ingredient subsystem 16 may include a carbonator 156 for generating carbonated water from carbon dioxide gas (provided by carbon dioxide supply 150) and water (provided by water supply 152). Carbonated water 158, water 160 and high fructose corn syrup 162 may be provided to cold plate assembly 164 e.g., in embodiments where a product is being dispensed in which it may be desired to be cooled. In some embodiments, the cold plate assembly may not be included as part of the dispensing systems or may be bi-passed. Cold plate assembly 164 may be designed to chill carbonated water 158, water 160, and high fructose corn syrup 162 down to a desired serving temperature (e.g. 40° F.).
While a single cold plate 164 is shown to chill carbonated water 158, water 160, and high fructose corn syrup 162, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of disclosure, as other configurations are possible. For example, an individual cold plate may be used to chill each of carbonated water 158, water 160 and high fructose corn syrup 162. Once chilled, chilled carbonated water 164, chilled water 166, and chilled high fructose corn syrup 168 may be provided to plumbing/control subsystem 20. And in still other embodiments, a cold plate may not be included. In some embodiments, at least one hot plate may be included.
For illustrative purposes, plumbing/control subsystem 20 is shown to include three flow measuring devices 170, 172, 174, which measure the volume of chilled carbonated water 164, chilled water 166 and chilled high fructose corn syrup 168 (respectively). Flow measuring devices 170, 172, 174 may provide feedback signals 176, 178, 180 (respectively) to feedback controller systems 182, 184, 186 (respectively). Feedback controller systems 182, 184, 186 (which will be discussed below in greater detail) may compare flow feedback signals 176, 178, 180 to the desired flow volume (as defined for each of chilled carbonated water 164, chilled water 166 and chilled high fructose corn syrup 168; respectively). Upon processing flow feedback signals 176, 178, 180, feedback controller systems 182, 184, 186 (respectively) may generate flow control signals 188, 190, 192 (respectively) that may be provided to variable line impedances 194, 196, 198 (respectively). Examples of variable line impedance 194, 196, 198 are disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,683 (which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/559,792 (which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/851,276 (which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Variable line impedances 194, 196, 198 may regulate the flow of chilled carbonated water 164, chilled water 166 and chilled high fructose corn syrup 168 passing through lines 206, 208, 210 (respectively), which are provided to nozzle 24 and (subsequently) container 30. However, additional embodiments of the variable line impedances are described herein.
Product module assembly 250 may be configured to releasably engage bracket assembly 282. Bracket assembly 282 may be a portion of (and rigidly fixed within) processing system 10. Although referred to herein as a “bracket assembly”, the assembly may vary in other embodiments. The bracket assembly serves to secure the product module assembly 282 in a desired location. An example of bracket assembly 282 may include but is not limited to a shelf within processing system 10 that is configured to releasably engage product module 250. For example, product module 250 may include a engagement device (e.g. a clip assembly, a slot assembly, a latch assembly, a pin assembly; not shown) that is configured to releasably engage a complementary device that is incorporated into bracket assembly 282.
Plumbing/control subsystem 20 may include manifold assembly 284 that may be rigidly affixed to bracket assembly 282. Manifold assembly 284 may be configured to include a plurality of inlet ports 286, 288, 290, 292 that are configured to releasably engage a pump orifice (e.g. pump orifices 294, 296, 298, 300) incorporated into each of pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276. When positioning product module 250 on bracket assembly 282, product module 250 may be moved in the direction of the arrow 302, thus allowing for inlet ports 286, 288, 290, 292 to releasably engage pump orifices 294, 296, 298, 300. Inlet ports 286, 288, 290, 292 and/or pump orifices 294, 296, 298, 300 may include one or more O-ring or other sealing assemblies as described above (not shown) to facilitate a leakproof seal.
Manifold assembly 284 may be configured to engage tubing bundle 304, which may be plumbed (either directly or indirectly) to nozzle 24. As discussed above, high-volume ingredient subsystem 16 also provides fluids in the form of, in at least one embodiment, chilled carbonated water 164, chilled water 166 and/or chilled high fructose corn syrup 168 (either directly or indirectly) to nozzle 24. Accordingly, as control logic subsystem 14 may regulate (in this particular example) the specific quantities of the various high-volume ingredients e.g. chilled carbonated water 164, chilled water 166, chilled high fructose corn syrup 168 and the quantities of the various micro ingredients (e.g. a first substrate (i.e., flavoring), a second substrate (i.e., a nutraceutical), and a third substrate (i.e., a pharmaceutical), control logic subsystem 14 may accurately control the makeup of product 28.
As discussed above, during use of processing system 10, user 26 may select a particular product 28 for dispensing (into container 30) using user interface subsystem 22. Via user interface subsystem 22, user 26 may select one or more options for inclusion within such beverage. Once user 26 makes the appropriate selections, via user interface subsystem 22, user interface subsystem 22 may send the appropriate data signals (via data bus 32) to control logic subsystem 14. Control logic subsystem 14 may process these data signals and may retrieve (via data bus 34) one or more recipes chosen from plurality of recipes 36 maintained on storage subsystem 12. Upon retrieving the recipe(s) from storage subsystem 12, control logic subsystem 14 may process the recipe(s) and provide the appropriate control signals (via data bus 38) to e.g. high volume ingredient subsystem 16 microingredient subsystem 18 and plumbing/control subsystem 20, resulting in the production of product 28 (which is dispensed into container 30).
When user 26 makes their selection, user 26 may select a multi-portion recipe that is essentially the combination of two separate and distinct recipes. For example, user 26 may select a root beer float, which is a multi-portion recipe that is essentially the combination of two separate and distinct recipes (i.e. vanilla ice cream and root beer soda). As a further example, user 26 may select a drink that is a combination of cola and coffee. This cola/coffee combination is essentially a combination of two separate and distinct recipes (i.e. cola soda and coffee).
Accordingly, assume that processing system 10 receives instructions (via user interface subsystem 22) to create a root beer float, knowing that a recipe for a root beer float is a multi-portion recipe, processing system 10 may simply obtain the standalone recipe for root beer soda, obtain the standalone recipe for vanilla ice cream, and execute both recipes to produce root beer soda and vanilla ice cream (respectively). Once these products are produced, processing system 10 may combine the individual products (namely root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) to produce the root beer float requested by user 26.
When executing a recipe, processing system 10 may utilize one or more manifolds (not shown) included within processing system 10. As used in this disclosure, a manifold is a temporary storage area designed to allow for the execution of one or more processes. In order to facilitate the movement of ingredients into and out of the manifolds, processing system 10 may include a plurality of valves (controllable by e.g., control logic subsystem 14) for facilitating the transfer of ingredients between manifolds. Examples of various types of manifolds may include but are not limited to: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold.
For example, when making coffee, a grinding manifold may grind coffee beans. Once the beans are ground, water may be provided to a heating manifold in which water 160 is heated to a predefined temperature (e.g. 212° F.). Once the water is heated, the heated water (as produced by the heating manifold) may be filtered through the ground coffee beans (as produced by the grinding manifold). Additionally and depending on how processing system 10 is configured, processing system 10 may add cream and/or sugar to the coffee produced in another manifold or at nozzle 24.
As discussed above, control logic subsystem 14 may execute one or more control processes 120 that may control the operation of processing system 10. Accordingly, control logic subsystem 14 may execute virtual manifold process 122.
Referring also to FIG. 7, virtual manifold process 122 may monitor 450 one or more processes occurring during a first portion of a multi-portion recipe being executed on e.g., processing system 10 to obtain data concerning at least of portion of the one or more processes. For example, assume that the multi-portion recipe concerns the making of a root beer float, which (as discussed above) is essentially the combination of two separate and distinct recipes (i.e. root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) that may be chosen from plurality of recipes 36 maintained on storage subsystem 12. Accordingly, the first portion of the multi-portion recipe may be considered the one or more processes utilized by processing system 10 to make root beer soda. Further, the second portion of the multi-portion recipe may be considered the one or more processes utilized by processing system 10 to make vanilla ice cream.
Each portion of these multi-portion recipes may be executed in a different manifold included within processing system 10. For example, the first portion of the multi-portion recipe (i.e., the one or more processes utilized by processing system 10 to make root beer soda) may be executed within a mixing manifold included within processing system 10. Further, the second portion of the multi-portion recipe (i.e., the one or more processes utilized by processing system 10 to make vanilla ice cream) may be executed within a freezing manifold included within processing system 10. As discussed above, processing system 10 may include a plurality of manifolds, examples of which may include but are not limited to: mixing manifolds, blending manifolds, grinding manifolds, heating manifolds, cooling manifolds, freezing manifolds, steeping manifolds, nozzles, pressure manifolds, vacuum manifolds, and agitation manifolds.
Accordingly, virtual manifold process 122 may monitor 450 the processes utilized by processing system 10 to make root beer soda (or may monitor the processes utilized by processing system 10 to make vanilla ice cream) to obtain data concerning these processes.
Examples of the type of data obtained may include but is not limited to ingredient data and processing data.
Ingredient data may include but is not limited to a list of ingredients used during the first portion of a multi-portion recipe. For example, if the first portion of a multi-portion recipe concerns making root beer soda, the list of ingredients may include: a defined quantity of root beer syrup, a defined quantity of carbonated water, a defined quantity of non-carbonated water, and a defined quantity of high fructose corn syrup.
Processing data may include but is not limited to a sequential list of processes performed on the ingredients. For example, a defined quantity of carbonated water may begin to be introduced into a manifold within processing system 10. While filling the manifold with carbonated water, the defined quantity of root beer syrup, the defined quantity of high fructose corn syrup, and the defined quantity of non-carbonated water may also be introduced into the manifold.
At least a portion of the data obtain may be stored 452 (e.g., either temporarily or permanently). Further, virtual manifold process 122 may enable 454 the availability of this stored data for subsequent use by e.g., one or more processes occurring during a second portion of the multi-portion recipe. When storing 452 the data obtained, virtual manifold process 122 may archive 456 the data obtained in a nonvolatile memory system (e.g., storage subsystem 12) for subsequent diagnostic purposes. Examples of such diagnostic purposes may include enabling a service representative/customer representative to review ingredient consumption characteristics to establish a purchasing plan for purchasing consumables for processing system 10. Alternatively/additionally, when storing 452 the data obtained, virtual manifold process 122 may temporarily write the data obtained to a volatile memory system (e.g., random access memory 104).
When enabling 454 the availability of the data obtained, virtual manifold process 122 may rout 460 the obtained data (or a portion thereof) to one or more processes that are occurring (or will occur) during the second portion of the multi-portion recipe. Continuing with the above-stated example, in which the second portion of the multi-portion recipe concerns the one or more processes utilized by processing system 10 to make vanilla ice cream, virtual manifold process 122 may enable 454 the data obtained (or a portion thereof) to be available to the one or more processes utilized to make vanilla ice cream.
Assume that the root beer syrup utilized to make the above-described root beer float is flavored with a considerable quantity of vanilla flavoring. Further, assume that when making the vanilla ice cream, a considerable quantity of vanilla flavoring is also used. As virtual manifold process 122 may enable 454 the availability of the obtained data (e.g., ingredient and/or process data) to control logic subsystem (i.e., the subsystem orchestrating the one or more processes utilized to make the vanilla ice cream), upon reviewing this data, control logic subsystem 14 may alter the ingredients utilized to make the vanilla ice cream. Specifically, control logic subsystem 14 may reduce the quantity of vanilla flavoring utilized to make the vanilla ice cream to avoid an overabundance of vanilla flavoring within the root beer float.
Additionally, by enabling the availability of the obtained data to subsequently-executed processes, procedures may be performed that would prove impossible had that data not be made available to the subsequently-executed processes. Continuing with the above-stated example, assume that it is determined empirically that consumers tend to not like any single-serving of a product that includes more than 10.0 mL of vanilla flavoring. Further, assume that 8.0 mL of vanilla flavoring is included within the root beer syrup utilized to make the root beer soda for the root beer float, and another 8.0 mL of vanilla flavoring is utilized to make the vanilla ice cream utilized to make the root beer float. Therefore, if these two products (the root beer soda and the vanilla ice cream) are combined, the final product would be flavored with 16.0 mL of vanilla flavoring (which exceeds the empirically-defined not-to-exceed 10.0 mL rule).
Accordingly, if the ingredient data for the root beer soda was not stored 452 and the availability of such stored data was not enabled 454 by virtual manifold process 122, the fact that the root beer soda contains 8.0 mL of vanilla flavoring would be lost and a final product containing 16.0 mL of vanilla flavoring would be produced. Accordingly, this obtained and stored 452 data may be utilized to avoid (or reduce) the occurrence of any undesirable effect (e.g., an undesired flavor characteristic, an undesired appearance characteristic, an undesired odor characteristic, an undesired texture characteristic, and exceeding a maximum recommended dosage of a nutraceutical).
The availability of this obtained data may allow for subsequent processes to also be adjusted. For example, assume that the quantity of salt utilized to make the vanilla ice cream varies depending on the quantity of carbonated water utilized to make the root beer soda. Again, if the ingredient data for the root beer soda was not stored 452 and the availability of such stored data was not enabled 454 by virtual manifold process 122, the quantity of carbonated water used to make the root beer soda would be lost and the ability to adjust the quantity of salt utilized to make the ice cream may be compromised.
As discussed above, virtual manifold process 122 may monitor 450 one or more processes occurring during a first portion of a multi-portion recipe being executed on e.g., processing system 10 to obtain data concerning at least of portion of the one or more processes. The one or more processes monitored 450 may be executed within a single manifold of the processing system 10 or may be representative of a single portion of a multi-portion procedure executed within a single manifold of processing system 10.
For example, when making the root beer soda, a single manifold may be used that has four inlets (e.g., one for the root beer syrup, one for the carbonated water, one for the non-carbonated water, and one for the high fructose corn syrup) and one outlet (as all of the root beer soda is being provided to a single secondary manifold).
However, if instead of having one outlet, the manifold has two outlets (one having a flow rate of four times the other), virtual manifold process 122 may consider this process to include two separate and distinct portions being executed simultaneously within the same manifold. For example, 80% of all of the ingredients may be mixed together to produce 80% of the total quantity of root beer soda; while the remaining 20% of all of the ingredients may be simultaneously mixed together (in the same manifold) to produce 20% of the root beer soda. Accordingly, virtual manifold process 122 may enable 454 the data obtained concerning the first portion (i.e., the 80% portion) to be made available to the downstream process that utilizes the 80% of the root beer soda and enable 454 the data obtained concerning the second portion (i.e., the 20% portion) to be made available to the downstream process that utilizes the 20% of the root beer soda.
Additionally/alternatively, the single portion of a multi-portion procedure executed within a single manifold of processing system 10 may be indicative of one process that occurs within a single manifold that executes a plurality of discrete processes. For example, when making vanilla ice cream within the freezing manifold, the individual ingredients may be introduced, mixed, and reduced in temperature until frozen. Accordingly, the process of making vanilla ice cream may include an ingredient introduction process, an ingredient mixing process, and an ingredient freezing process, each of which may be individually monitored 450 by virtual manifold process 122.
As discussed above, control logic subsystem 14 may execute one or more control processes 120 that may control the operation of processing system 10. Accordingly, control logic subsystem 14 may execute virtual machine process 124.
As also discussed above, during use of processing system 10, user 26 may select a particular product 28 for dispensing (into container 30) using user interface subsystem 22. Via user interface subsystem 22, user 26 may select one or more options for inclusion within such beverage. Once user 26 makes the appropriate selections, via user interface subsystem 22, user interface subsystem 22 may send the appropriate indication to control logic subsystem 14, indicating the selections and preferences of user 26 (with respect to product 28).
When making a selection, user 26 may select a multi-portion recipe that is essentially the combination of two separate and distinct recipes that produces a multi-component product. For example, user 26 may select a root beer float, which is a multi-portion recipe that is essentially the combination of two separate and distinct components (i.e. vanilla ice cream and root beer soda). As a further example, user 26 may select a drink that is a combination of cola and coffee. This cola/coffee combination is essentially a combination of two separate and distinct components (i.e. cola soda and coffee).
Referring also to FIG. 8, upon receiving 500 the above-described indication, virtual machine process 124 may process 502 this indication to determine if the product to be produced (e.g., product 28) is a multi-component product.
If 504 the product to be produced is a multi-component product, virtual machine process 124 may identify 506 a first recipe for producing a first component of the multi-component product and at least a second recipe for producing at least a second component of the multi-component product. The first and second recipes may be chosen from plurality of recipes 36 maintained on storage subsystem 12.
If 504 the product to be produced is not a multi-component product, virtual machine process 124 may identify 508 a single recipe for producing the product. The single recipe may be chosen from plurality of recipes 36 maintained on storage subsystem 12. Accordingly, if the indication received 500 was an indication concerning a lemon-lime soda, as this is not a multi-component product, virtual machine process may identify 508 the single recipe required to produce the lemon-lime soda.
Upon identifying 506, 508 the recipe(s) from plurality of recipes 36 maintained on storage subsystem 12, control logic subsystem 14 may execute 510, 512 the recipe(s) and provide the appropriate control signals (via data bus 38) to e.g. high volume ingredient subsystem 16 microingredient subsystem 18 and plumbing/control subsystem 20, resulting in the production of product 28 (which is dispensed into container 30).
Accordingly, assume that processing system 10 receives an indication (via user interface subsystem 22) to create a root beer float. Virtual machine process 124 may process 502 this indication to determine if 504 the root beer float is a multi-component product. As the root beer float is a multi-component product, virtual machine process 124 may identify 506 the recipes required to produce the root beer float (namely the recipe for root beer soda and the recipe for vanilla ice cream) and execute 510 both recipes to produce root beer soda and vanilla ice cream (respectively). Once these products are produced, processing system 10 may combine the individual products (namely root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) to produce the root beer float requested by user 26.
As discussed above, control logic subsystem 14 may execute one or more control processes 120 that may control the operation of processing system 10. Accordingly, control logic subsystem 14 may execute FSM (i.e., finite state machine) process 126.
As also discussed above, during use of processing system 10, user 26 may select a particular product 28 for dispensing (into container 30) using user interface subsystem 22. Via user interface subsystem 22, user 26 may select one or more options for inclusion within such beverage. Once user 26 makes the appropriate selections, via user interface subsystem 22, user interface subsystem 22 may send the appropriate indication to control logic subsystem 14, indicating the selections and preferences of user 26 (with respect to product 28). Again, the selection made by the user may be indicative of a multi-component product.
Referring also to FIG. 9, upon receiving 550 the above-described indication, FSM process 126 may process 552 the indication to determine if the product to be produced (e.g., product 28) is a multi-component product.
If 554 the product to be produced is a multi-component product, FSM process 126 may identify 556 the recipe(s) required to produce each of the components of the multi-component product. The recipe(s) identified may be chosen from plurality of recipes 36 maintained on storage subsystem 12.
If 554 the product to be produced is not a multi-component product, FSM process 126 may identify 558 a single recipe for producing the product. The single recipe may be chosen from plurality of recipes 36 maintained on storage subsystem 12. Accordingly, if the indication received 550 and processed 552 was an indication that defined a lemon-lime soda, as this is not a multi-component product, FSM process 126 may identify 558 the single recipe required to produce the lemon-lime soda.
If 554 the indication concerns a multi-component product, upon identifying 556 the appropriate recipes chosen from plurality of recipes 36 maintained on storage subsystem 12, FSM process 126 may parse 560 each of the recipes into a plurality of discrete states and define one or more state transitions. FSM process 126 may then define 562 at least one finite state machine (for each recipe) using at least a portion of the plurality of discrete states.
If 554 the indication does not concern a multi-component product, upon identifying 558 the appropriate recipe chosen from plurality of recipes 36 maintained on storage subsystem 12, FSM process 126 may parse 564 the recipe into a plurality of discrete states and define one or more state transitions. FSM process 126 may then define 566 at least one finite state machine for the recipe using at least a portion of the plurality of discrete states.
As is known in the art, a finite state machine (FSM) is a model of behavior composed of a finite number of states, transitions between those states and/or actions. For example and referring also to FIG. 10, if defining a finite state machine for a physical doorway that can either be fully opened or fully closed, the finite state machine may include two states, namely “opened” state 600 and “closed” state 602. Additionally, two transitions may be defined that allow for the transition from one state to another state. For example, transition state 604 “opens” the door (thus transitioning from “closed” state 602 to “open” state 600) and transition state 606 “closes” the door (thus transitioning from “opened” state 600 to “closed” state 602).
Referring also to FIG. 11, a state diagram 650 concerning the manner in which coffee may be brewed is shown. State diagram 650 is shown to include five states, namely: idle state 652; ready to brew state 654; brewing state 656; maintain temperature state 658; and off state 660. Additionally, five transition states are shown. For example, transition state 662 (e.g., installing coffee filter, installing coffee grounds, filling coffee machine with water) may transition from idle state 652 to ready to brew state 654. Transition state 664 (e.g., pressing the brew button) may transition from ready to brew state 654 to brewing state 656. Transition state 666 (e.g., exhausting the water supply) may transition from brewing state 656 to maintain temperature 658. Transition state 668 (e.g., turning the power switch off or exceeding a maximum “maintain temperature” time) may transition from maintain temperature state 658 to off state 660. Transition state 670 (e.g., turning the power switch on) may transition from off state 660 to idle state 652.
Accordingly, FSM process 126 may generate one or more finite state machines that correspond to the recipes (or portions thereof) utilized to produce a product. Once the appropriate finite state machines are produced, control logic subsystem 14 may execute the finite state machine(s) and generate the product (e.g., multi-component or single component) requested by e.g., user 26.
Accordingly, assume that processing system 10 receives 650 an indication (via user interface subsystem 22) that user 26 has selected a root beer float. FSM process 126 may process 652 the indication to determine if 654 the root beer float is a multi-component product. As the root beer float is a multi-component product, FSM process 126 may identify 656 the recipes required to produce the root beer float (namely the recipe for root beer soda and the recipe for vanilla ice cream) and parse 660 the recipe for root beer soda and the recipe for vanilla ice cream into a plurality of discrete states and define one or more state transitions. FSM process 126 may then define 662 at least one finite state machine (for each recipe) using at least a portion of the plurality of discrete states. These finite state machines may subsequently be executed by control logic subsystem 14 to produce the root beer float selected by user 26. When executing the state machines corresponding to the recipes, processing system 10 may utilize one or more manifolds (not shown) included within processing system 10.
While the various electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, and software processes are described above as being utilized within a processing system that dispenses beverages, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure, as other configurations are possible. For example, the above-described processing system may be utilized for processing/dispensing other consumable products (e.g., ice cream and alcoholic drinks). Additionally, the above-described system may be utilized in areas outside of the food industry. For example, the above-described system may be utilized for processing/dispensing: vitamins; pharmaceuticals; medical products, cleaning products; lubricants; painting/staining products; and other non-consumable liquids/semi-liquids/granular solids and/or fluids.
As discussed above, the various electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, and software processes of processing system 10 generally (and virtual manifold process 122, virtual machine process 124, and FSM process 126 specifically) may be used in any machine in which on-demand creation of a product from one or more substrates (also referred to as “ingredients”) is desired.
receiving instructions to generate a multi-component product on a processing device;
processing the instructions;
identifying a first recipe to produce a first component of the multi-component product;
identifying at least a second recipe to produce at least a second component of the multi-component product, wherein the first and second recipes are chosen from a plurality of available recipes;
altering the first recipe based on the second recipe; and
executing the first and second recipes,
wherein the first recipe is executed within a first manifold of the processing device, wherein the first manifold is chosen from the group consisting of: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold, and
wherein the second recipe is executed within a second manifold of the processing device, wherein the second manifold is different from the first manifold, and wherein the second manifold is chosen from the group consisting of: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold.
2. A computer program product residing on a non-transitory computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
3. A process controller configured to:
receive instructions to generate a multi-component product on a processing device;
identify a first recipe to produce a first component of the multi-component product;
identify at least a second recipe to produce at least a second component of the multi-component product, wherein the first and second recipes are chosen from a plurality of available recipes;
execute the first and second recipes,
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