CA1288517C

CA1288517C - Data acquisition and processing system for post-mix beverage dispensers

Info

Publication number: CA1288517C
Application number: CA000567031A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Melissa F. Patton; Kenneth G. Smazik
Original assignee: Coca Cola Co
Current assignee: Coca Cola Co
Priority date: 1987-05-18
Filing date: 1988-05-17
Publication date: 1991-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-03
Also published as: DE3816966A1; US4827426A; JPS63304366A; AU581381B1; DE3816966C2

Abstract

P, b~Yeraa~ di~n~n~r ~p~tu~ lud~ a plurdli~y o:E valve a~sembll~ ~or di~pen~inq ~pec~ive ~l~vor~ o~ bever~e~ intO
con~aine~ o di~r~n~ e~, The bev~rag~ ~nclude ml~tl~re~ of ~rup And water in ~red~terminecl ~ro~ort~on~ Th~ a~paratu~
lnclude~ ~ d~a lo~u~ ion dtld ~oo~slng s~ m ~o~ ~en~lng ~nd ~o~in~ ln~oxm~tlon wi~h.ro~at to ~Ye~a~ dl~ ed from each re~pective valve ~ mbl~ 3y~tem in61udo~ the ~ llty o~ peri~d~ co~lnt~ng at r~gular l~terval~ thg numb~ of contaln~r~ d wil;h bovg~age fo~ @a~h r~o~tlv~ val~
a~6embly,. A ~ d ~ontoin~ is oon~ldor~d to ~ a drink~ ~he sy3tem al~o incll~de~ th~ c~pablllty o~ ~;)e~1odi6ally det~mining ~t the r~gular ~nte~val~ th~ volu~e o~ ~y~u~ ~nd ~te~ d~ n~
by each re0~?~ctivo v~lv~ ~ss0mbly. P.l~ in¢ll~d~d wlthi2l the gy3tem i8 lt clock ~o~ contilluou~ly ~ene~t~n~ ~im~-o~-d~y ~ignal ~nd ~h~ s~p~billty o~ ~orrel~tin~ the- tl~ a~ 61gnal~ to tlle regul~l: into~ wh~by th~ n~b~r o~ ~rink~t '~:he voluln@ o~
syrup~ ~nd tha volu~ o~ wate~ di~pen~gd ~o~ ~ch r~@~ti v~lve as~mbly ~na3r b~ d~at~nin~d ~o~ ~le~d ti~ o d~y.

Description

~ÇKGRQ11ND OF ~a~ INYEE~IQ~

The present invention relates to a data acquisition and processing system for a post-mix beverage dispenser. More specifically, the E~resent invention relates to a system for collectin4 Zata from soft drink dispensing equipment such as utilized in fast food restaurants, and a processing system for correlating the data to specific times within a day or days.
lQ Inventory control and analysis with respect to post-mix drink dispensers is an important part of the management of fast food restaurantsO Some attempts have been made heretofore in post-mix systems to automatically sense and store information, such as drink size, flavor, and number of drinks. An example of such a system is described in U.S. Fatent 4,236,553 to Rechenberaer.
The information obtained from the Rechenber~er system is quite useful to a fast food restaurant .

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manager for accounting purposesl and is also of interest to the beverage ingredient supplier.
~owever, this information would be even more useful if it could be automatically correlated to a time S of day, specific dates and specific periods of time within a given day or week. ~his time correlation would be useful in determining peak de~and periods wi~hin normal business hours; and perhaps sales performances following special promotions or advertising by the ingredient supplier.
Another known system for acquiring and processing data with respect to post mix beverage dispensers is described in U.S. Patent 4,487,333 to Pounder, et al. In the Pounder system, a 1~ microprocessor outputs serial data rerresenting the contents of its various internal registers. The information available in the registers is, for example, the total number of drinks dispensed by size for each valve assembly, the mixture ratios of 2Q syrup to water, the total syrup and water volumes, the syrup viscosity, portion sizes, syrup identification number, and syrup temperature.
While the information generated and stored in the registers of the microprocessor of the Pounder system is useful, it would be even more useful if it could be correlated with respect to specific times of day, specific dates and specific periods of time within a given day or weekO
Accordingly, a need in the art exists for an 30- improved data acquisition and processing system for post-mix beverage dispensers.

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35~

SUMMAF~Y OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it i5 an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a data acquisition and processing system for a post-mix drink dispenser which automatically correlates the number, size and flavor of drinks poured to specific periods of time within a given day or week of a period of interest, and correlates the actual volume of syrup and water dispensed for the same period.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a data acquisition and processing system for a post-mix drink dispenser which may be easily connected to existincl dispensing equipment and is compact enough to fit into spaces provided near or adjacent to the drink dispenser.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a data acquisition and processing system for a drink dispenser having a sufficient memory capacity to log data for extended periods of time.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a data logging system for a post-mix drink dispenser which is easily calibrated and set up by a serviceman at the point of sale locations.
Various aspects of the invention are as follows:
For use in a beverage dispenser apparatus having a plurality of valve assemblies fcr dispensing respective flavors of beverages into containers of different sizes, said beverages including mixtures of syrup and water in predetermined proportions, a data logging method for : 30 sensing and storing information with respect to beverages dispensed from each respective valve assembly, the improvement comprising the steps of:
a) periodically counting at regular intervals the number of containers filled with beverage for each respective valve assembly, a filled container being defined as a drink;
b) periodically determining at said regular , ~:

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: ' ' ~ ~38S~7 intervals the volume of syrup and water dispensed by each respective valve assembly;
c) continuously generating time of day signals;
and d) correlating said time of day signals to said regular intervals;
whereby the number of drinks and the volume of syrup and the volume of water dispensed for each respective valve assembly may be determined for selected times of day.
In a beverage dispenser apparatus having a plurality of valve assembliles for dispensing respective flavors of beverages into containers of different sizes, said beverages including mixtures of syrup and water in 3a .
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~l ~88s1 7 predetermined proportions, a data acquisition and processing system for sensing and storinCJ
information with respeClt to beverages dispensed from each respective valve assembly, an improvement comprising:
a) means for periodically counting at regular intervals the number of containers filled with beverage for each respective valve assembly, a filled container being defined as a drink;
b) means for periodically determininy at said regular intervals the volume of syrup and water dispensed by each respective valve assembly;
c) clock means for continuously generating time o ~ay siar.als: and d) means for correlating said time of day signals to said regular intervals;
whereby the number of drinks, the volume of syrup and the volume of water dispensed for each respective valve assembly may be determined for selected times of day.
Further scope of applicability of the pres2nt invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. ~owever, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

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, 5i1'7 BRIF~ PE~5BI~In~ OF ~E PBA~I~Ç& ~:

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention and wherein:
Figures 1 and 2 illus~rate the data acquisition and process-:ing system for a post-mix beverage dispenser descr:ibed and illustrated ~ith respect to the corresponding figure numbers in U.S.
Patent 4,487,333 to Pounder, et al.;
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the data acquisition and processing system of the present invention and the manner in which it is connected to a beverage dispenser containing the components of the post-mix beverage dispensing system of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating essentially the same data acquisition and processing system of Figure 3 with the addition of telephone modem~ and lines for transmitting the data acquired to remote locations via the telephone line; and Figures 5 to 9 are flow charts of the software of the data acquisition and processing system of the present invention~

DE~alLED DEsc~IpTlQ~ QF EE~EEE~E~ EMBODI~

The system of the present invention is designed for use with the dispensing systenl~

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35~.7 described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent 4,487,333 to Pounder, et al. The Pounder system will be referred to hereinafter as the "Smart Valve".

The "Smart Valve" system is designed with the purpose of dispensing post-mix drinks with accurate relative proportions o~ carbonated water and soft drink syrup. Sep~rate syrup and water valves are controllably turned on and off, independently, at prescribed duty cycles, to provide a prescribed mix ratio, and syrup and water flow meters monitor the instantaneous flow rates of the water and syrup to minimize the effects of any pressure variations in the initial syrup and water supplies. The apparatus is conveniently modified for use with different soft drink syrups using a separate, removable personality module for each syrup, characterizing its prescribed mix ratio and its viscosity. Referring now to the dxawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and ~, there is shown a single "Smart Valve" 11 embodying the features of the Pounder system for mixing together and dispensing a soft drink syrup and carbonated water in prescribed relative proportions. The apparatus includes a syrup valve 13 for turning on and off a supply of syrup and a water valve 15 for turning on and off a supply of water. The apparatus further includes a syrup flow meter 17 upstream of the syrup valve for measuring the syrup's flow rate, and a water flow meter 19 upstream of the water valve for measuring the water's flow rate. The J~
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' , ', ' . ' ; ~ ' : ' ,' ~ .. ' ~.28~3S~7 syrup and water transmitted by the two valves are mixed together in a mixing chamber assembly 21 and dispensed through a nozzle 23 into a drinking cup 25. The "Smart Valve" also includes a microprocessor 27 for controllably opening and closing both the syrup valve 13 and the water valve 15 with prescribed duty cycles, such as the appartaus dispenses the soft drink syrup and water with a prescribed mix ratio. The two valves are lQ cycled open at the same time, the syrup valve remaining open until it has dispensed about 0.15 ounces of syrup, and the water valve remaining open for whatever duration provides the prescribed mix ratio. This ratio is typically between about 3.5 to 1 and 6.0 to 1, depending on the particular syrup being dispensed. The peak flow rate of the water is nigher than that for the syrup, to reduce the disparity between their respective duty cycles.
As soon as both valves have dispensed the appropriate anounts of fluid, the cycle is repeated by again opening the water and syrup valves simulta.neously. This cycling continues until a prescribed volume has been dispensed into the CUp 25.
More particulary, and with reference to Figure 2, both the syrup flow meter 17 and the water flow meter 19 are paddle wheel-type flow meters producing velocity signals in the form of pulse sequences having frequencies proportional to the flow rates of the fluids passing through them. The pulse seauence si5nal produced by the syrup flow meter is coupled over line 29 to a buffer-amplifier - . : - - . -.

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~.~8~35~7 meter is co~pled over line 29 to a buffer-a~lplifier 31 for conversion to appropriate lo~ic levels, and in turn, over line 33 to the microprocessor 27.
Similarly, the pulse sequence signal produced by the water 10w meter is coupled over line 35 to a buffer amplifier 37, and in turn, over line 39 to the microprocessor 27.
The microprocessor 27 suitably processes the syrup and water pulse sequence signals received from the syrup and water flow meters 17 and 19, respectively, and generates syrup and valve drive sianals for coupling to the respective cyrup and water valves 13 and 15, to open and close them at appropriate times. The syrup drive signal is coupled cver line 41 to an opto-isolator 43 and, in turn over line 45 to a triac 47, which outputs two correspondina ærive sisnals for coupling over lines 49a and 4Sb to the syrup valve to o~en and close the valve correspondinaly. Similarly, the water drive signal is coupled over line 51 to an opto-isolator 53 and, in turn, over line 55 to 2 water triac 57, which out~uts two correspc,ndincJ drive signals for coupling over line 59a and 59b to the water val ve 15, to open and close it correspondingly.
Referring again to Figure 1J the "Smart Valve"
further includec four ~ush-button switches hl for selecting one of four different drink portion sizes for the apparatus to dispense, such as small, medium, larae, and extra-lar9e. The ~pparatus also includes a pour/cancel ~ush-button switch 63 that functiors either to terminate dispensing if one of . . .
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. .-.. : ' , ' the four portion size ~uttons has been previously pushed,~i.e, cancel) or, if not, to dis~ense a drink for as long as it it pushed (i.e., pour).
The microprocessor monitors these various switches in a conventional fashion using address line 65 and data line 67. The microprocessor controllably opens and closes the syrup and water valves 13 and 15, respectively, in the manner described above, regardless of which one of these particular switches has been pushed. The only significant different in operation is in the nunlber of cycles necessary to complete the dispensing of the selected drink. Associated ~ith each of the four portion size ~witches 61 is a separate potentiorneter, one of which is depicted at 69 in Figure 2r These potentiometers are connected bet~een a positive voltage an~ yround, and are used to adjust manually the size of the drink dispensed when the corresponding s~itch has been pushed. The microprocessor 27 periodically monitors the voltages present at the wlpers of the four portion size potentiometers 69 in a conventional fashion using a multiplexer 71 and an analo~-to-digital (A/D) converter 73. In particular, the potentiometers are connected by line 75 to four different input terminals of the multiplexer, and the microprocessor outputs appropriate ad~ress signals for coupllnG over lines 77 to the multiplexer to select a particular one. The voltage on the selected potentiometer is then coupled over lines 7~ fror!l the multiE,leY~er to the A/D converter, ~hich under control of four control .. . . . . .
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~!.X~ L7 microprocessor, converts the voltage to a correspondincJ 8-bit c]igital signal. The digital signal is in turn coupled over lines 83 from the A/D converter to the microprocessor.
The "Smart Valve" further includes a syrup temperature sensor 85 for providing an accurate indication of the actual temperature~ and thus viscosity, of the syrup passing through the syrup flow meter 17. The micro~processor 27 periodically monitors the voltage output by the temperature sensor using the same multiplexer 71 and A/D
converter 73, as are used for monitoring the four-portion adjust potentiometer 69.
After the "Smart Valve" 11 has completed its dispensing of a drink the microprocessor 27 outputs a serial data signal representing the contents of its various internal registers for use by an inventory control system such as the data acquisition and processing system of the present invention described hereinafter. These registers store data indicating, for example, the amount of syrup and water just dispensed, the temperature of the syrup, the syrup water and flow rates, the total drinks by size, the mixture ratios, and syrup Z5 identification number. The serial data signal is coupled over line 87 from the microprocessor to a buffer/amplifier 89, and output by the "Smart Valven on line Sl. The serial data output on line 91 is then fed to either the nSmart Valve~
interface master unit 14 or one of the "Smart Valven interface slave units 18 to be described in detail hereinafter ~.ith reference to Figures 3 and , ' , ' : :

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In a preferred embodiment, the microprocessor 27 of the "Smart Valve" i5 an INTEL M 8049.

Ref rring in detail to Figures 3 and 4, there is illustrated a post-mix beverage dispensing system such as might be used in a fast food restaurant. The system includes a plurality of beverage dispensing towers, three in the example shown, each of which includes eight "Smart Valves", such as the "Smart Valve" 11 described hereinbefore with respect to ~Figures 1 and 2. That is, each of the portions of the towers labeled "valve 1"
ect. corresponds to one "Smart Valve" assembly 11.

The serial data output along line 91 from the microprocessor 27 o~ Figure 2 is fed along line 10 or 12 which is a RS-232C-serial line. The data fed along line 10 proceeds to the "Smart Valve" interface master unit 14 and the data along other lines, such as 12, are fed to associated "Smart Valve" interface slave units such as 18, which are connected to the master unit 14 through a data loop which is preferably an HPIL data loop.

The master unit 14 includes an HP7lB computer manufactured by Hewlett Packard Corporation which reads and processes the data received either from line 10 or HPIL loop line 16. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the data from the master unit is transferrable along line 20 via another RS-232C-serial line to a computer 22, such as an IBM PC/ATTM. In the embodiment of Figure 4, the processed data from the master unit 14 is transferred on demand to a central computer 30 which may be an IBM PC

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through modems 24 and 28 and telephone line 26.
The manner in which the data is processed and transferred will be further described hereinafter with reference to the flow charts of the software illustrated in Figures 5 to 9.
In a typical fast food restaurant installation, the ~Smart Valves~ and associa~ed data acquisition and processing system illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 transmits data from thenSmart Valves" to either a computer on sight (Fig. 3) or over a telephone line to a central location ~Fig.
4). The information available from the system is the total drinks by size, mixture ratios, total syrup and water volumes, syrup viscosity, portion sizes, syrup identification number, and ~yrup temperature. In addition, from the syrup and water volumes and the total nu~ber of drinks by size,the yield per gallon of syrup can be computed.
The "Smart Valven interface units 14 and 18 2Q are capable of acceptinc the 5V logic level outputs of the I~lTEL 8049 microprocessor 27 built into each "Smart Valve" as the means of register data transfer from the valve to the interfaces. Input signal conditioning is provided if necessary for reliable data reception. The interfaces also are capable of collecting data from at least three dispensina towers Tl to T3 in a preferred embodiment containin~ a maximum of 8 nSmart Valves"
each, i.e., 24 serial data input channels.
~owever, it should be understood that additional to~lers and "Smart Valves" may be added as desired.

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~ 7 The interfaces are also capable of acceptin~
data from each "Smart Valve" at a rate of 9600 BAUD
and monitoring each of the 24 serial input channels for a synchronizing pulse that indicates that valid data is forthcoming. DIP switches can be provided to bypass any unused serial input channels and speed up execution, if processing time is a factor.
In addition to the 24 serial data input channels, a full duplex, asynchronous serial RS-423A/RS-232C port with "handshake" lines can be provided for bi-directional communications with the PC/AT computer 22. The port can have DIP switch selectable data rates of 1200, 2400, 4800 and 9600 BAUD. A standard female DB-25 connector can be provided on the interface enclosure to access the port~
The interfaces such as 14 and 18 accept reyistered data from each "Smart Valve" in packets and label each packet ~ith code bytes that identify the particular valve and tower supplying the data.
The registered data packets along ~ith their identifyinq code bytes are memory mapped in the interfaces to allow random access to a valve/towers Z5 data by the PC~AT 22 or the PC 30 of Figure 4.
Referring to Figure 3, there are three possible modes of operation:
l. The PC/AT 22 ~ay use "handshake" lines eOg. request-to-send and clear-to-send to initiate 30- data transfer~ ~ata packets are transmitted sequentially and still contain the valve/towers ID
code bytes that are transferred first;

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88S~7 2. The PC/AT 22 requests a particular data packet by sending the appropriate valve/towers ID code bytes to the interface in bit serial format~ The interface replies by first transmitting the valve and tower ID code bytes, followed by the reqister data packet; or 3. The interface does all data processing, so that the PC/AT can request yield only, drink totals, or any other register information data desired from the master unit, including the HP71B
computer.
In summary, the data acquisition and processing system of the present invention transmits data from the "Smart Valvesn in the respective towers of the system to remote locations such as to the computer 22 and computer 30. The information available is the total number of drinks dispensed by drink cize, syrup and water volume, syrup temperature, syrup viscosity, portion size, mixture ratios, and syrup identification number.
In a preferred embodiment, the data is collected at 15-minute time intervals by the master unit l~t includiDg the HP71B computer and is dumped to the computers 22 or 30 every thirty minutes.
The information can be processed in a variety of ways, usinq the time stamp provided ~y a clock available in the HP71B computer, peak usage times can be determined. Marketing research can utilize this information to see how a new prod~ct is selling. Specific data on valve usaye can also ~e collected to verify current specifications on the dispenser ratinqs. Since the "Smart Valve" is a -, - . ~ - : . ::

, ~1 2~3~L7 ratio control device, the data will also verify that the ~Smart Valve~ is operating properly.
Total nu~ber o~ drinks dispensed per gallon of syrup can ~e calculateæ to provide the ~ast food restaurant with infor~ation on yields per yallon cf syrup. Customer preference by drink size and product can also be de~ermined.

DES-cRIpTT~ OF OPE~5l0~

The operation of the data system of Figures 3 and 4 can be more readily understood by reference to the 10w charts of Figures S to 9, which explain the system software for the HP71B computer. Since the system of Figure 4 is substantially identical to the system of Figure 3 with the exception of the modems and telephone line, the software will he described with respect to the more extensive s~sten of Fiqure 4 including the modems and central computer (PC) 30. However, it should be unZerstood that the software for the operation of the systen of Figure 3 would be similar to the soft~,are illustrated in Figures 2 to 5 but ~ould not incluæe the handle telephone communicationn subroutine illustrated in Fi~ure 6.
Referring to Figure 5 there is ~epicted a flow chart illustrating the interaction of all subroutines illustrated in more ~etail in the flow charts of Figures ~ to 9. The flow chart of Figure 5 begins with step 100 "start up~ when the systenl is first turned on. The system is then 3Q initialized, step 101 by a seyuence of steps ..

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illustrated in the subroutine of Figure b, and the progra~ moves on to step A. The system is then instructed in step 103 to set up the timer interrupt in fifteen minute intervals (the subroutine of Fig. 7) and to read the data available from each of the respective valves and the respective towers of the dispensing system.
The program then moves on to step B. Next the ~key pressed at keyboard~ routine of step 105 is performed according to the subroutine illustrated in Figure 8. The next step 107 in the main routine with respect to the system of Figure 4 determines if there is a "phone ring?" along phone line 2~
through modems 24 and 28. This subroutine is illustrated in Figure 9. If there is no phone ring, the plogram then checks in step 109 to see if the HPIL loop is down. If the loop is not down, the systenl returns to step B. If the system is down, a timer within the computer is set up to wake 2Q up the system in five minutes by step 110 to allow any problems to clear. During that five-minute period, the HP71B computer is turned off at step 111 until the timer wakes up the HPIL loop at step 112. If the HPIL loop is still down, the flag 113 returns the program to the "set up a timer to wake up in five minutes" block. If the HPIL loop is not down, the program proceeds to step 114 to record the events which have been read from the resEJective valves.
Referring to Figure 6, there is illustrated the "initialization" subroutine 101. In the first step 115 of this routine, the computer asks the ,~ . .

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user to set a date and time. The data memory is then cleared by step 116, and if a modem is present, the modem is initialized and set to automatically answer the calls on phone line 26 in step 117. The system will then scan to determine how many smart valve interfaces 14 are in the system in step 118. The system then runs a test on each valve and each of the respective towers of the dispenser in step 119. -The active valves of the system are then recordecl in step 120. The next step 121 of initialization sets up a times file to record processed data every thirty minutes in comparator 30. It should be noted that data is only recorded every thirty minutes, even though it is read every fifteen minutes so that the memory in computers 22 and 30 is not overloaded.
Initialization is then complete and the system returns to step A of the main routine of Figure 5.
Figure 7 illustrates the "timer wake" routine 103, which is the main data logging or data reading routine of the system software. In the first step 122 of this routine,the system reads the 101 bytes of data from each of the respective "Smart Valves"
of each respective to~7er of the dispensina system.
This data is then converted from binary data into decimal data in step 123~ ThiS data is then analyzed in step 124 to compute the drink counts for the last fifteen minutes of data collected.
The drink counts are also updated to provide a drink count total for the recordinq period. Then the last drink count is updated. The data i5 then analyzed to compute actual syrup and water volumes ,~

:,' ' ` '.',' ' ' - ' ~ 7 from each respective nSmart Valve" for the last fifteen minute interval in step 125. The syste then updates the total volume for this recordin~
period and updates the last volume count. The data is then analyzed in step 126 to record syrup temperatures of each respective valve, and the system is tested for any power interruptions which might have occurred in step 127. The system then checks the times file in ~3tep 123 to determine if it is time to record the data which has been read, which occurs every thirty minutes as described above. If it is time to record data, the data is recorded in step 129 in terms of drink counts, total volumes and temperatures in a "B" file.
lS Rowever, if it is not time to record data, the system returns to step A of the main routine in Fiqure 5. Follo~ing the recording of data at the end of any given day, the systenl will record the active valve numbers, cup prices, mix ratio, and portion settings of each respective valve and recor~ the same in file ~An, step 130. I~ it is not the end of the day, the system returns to step A of the main routine without performing the functions in the last block of Figure 7.
The subroutine lQ6 of Fi9ure 8 nhand]~
keyboard functionsn is primarily provided for user security, and the flrst step 133 is to ask the user for the password. If the password is correct, the routine proceeds to an optional routine 135 which permits the user to e~ecute the following functions 136:

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35~7 set date and time assign valves set cup prices initialize modem S edit times file initialize interfaces change password change authorized users stop the program running Normally the user would not need to execute these functions; but it might be desirable to do so, for e~ample if an additional tower is added to an existing system or if any other changes have been made to the system since it was last in use.
The remaining subroutine 108 nhandle telephone coMmunication~ of Figure 9 relates only to the system illustrated in Figure 4. In the first step 137 of this subroutine, ~he co~puter 30 asks for the caller password, and if the password is correct it allows the caller by flag 138 and step 139, to exercise one of the following commands 140:
transfer drink count in volume file transfer mix ratio and portion setting file ~5 transfer times file transfer user's log file transfer active valves file send current date and time set date and time receive times file change passwords ' ' : ' , : ' - - : , .
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~ 7 receive authorized user's list end of communication The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

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Claims

1. In a beverage dispenser apparatus having a plurality of valve assemblies for dispensing respective flavors of beverages into containers of different sizes, said beverages including mixtures of syrup and water in predetermined proportions, a data logging system for sensing and storing information with respect to beverages dispensed from each respective valve assembly, the improvement comprising:
a) means for periodically counting at regular intervals the number of containers filled with beverage for each respective valve assembly, a filled container being defined as a drink;
b) means for periodically determining at said regular intervals the volume of syrup and water dispensed by each respective valve assembly;
c) clock means for continuously generating time of day signals; and d) means for correlating said time of day signals to said regular intervals;
whereby the number of drinks and the volume of syrup and the volume of water dispensed for each respective valve assembly may be determined for selected times of day.

2. The system of claim 1 further including means for computing the number of drinks per gallon of syrup dispensed by each respective valve assembly.

3. The system of claim 1 further including means for determining the size of each drink dispensed by each respective valve assembly.

4. The system of claim 1 further including means for determining the temperature of the syrup dispensed by each respective valve assembly.

5. The system of claim 1 further including means for transmitting data acquired via a telephone line to remote locations.

6. For use in a beverage dispenser apparatus having a plurality of valve assemblies for dispensing respective flavors of beverages into containers of different sizes, said beverages including mixtures of syrup and water in predetermined proportions, a data logging method for sensing and storing information with respect to beverages dispensed from each respective valve assembly, the improvement comprising the steps of:

a) periodically counting at regular intervals the number of containers filled with beverage for each respective valve assembly, a filled container being defined as a drink;
b) periodically determining at said regular intevals the volume of syrup and water dispensed by each respective valve assembly;
c) continuously generating time of day signals; and d) correlating said time of day signals to said regular intervals;
whereby the number of drinks and the volume of syrup and the volume of water dispensed for each respective valve assembly may be determined for selected times of day.

7. The method of claim 6 further including the step of computing the number of drinks per gallon of syrup dispensed.

8. The method of claim 6 further including the step of determining the size of each drink dispensed by each respective valve assembly.

9. The method of claim 6 further including the step of determining the temperature of the syrup dispensed by each respective valve assembly.

10. The method of claim 6 further including the step of transmitting data acquired via a telephone line to a remote location.