Lighting system for beverage dispenser

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, a lighting system for an ice/beverage dispenser visually identifies various states of operation of the dispenser. The dispenser is of a type that can be operated to selectively dispense any one of a variety of beverages as well as beverage flavoring bonus syrups. The dispenser has beverage and bonus syrup dispensing nozzles and a control panel on which are a first plurality of switches for actuation by a user to dispense selected beverages and a second plurality of switches for actuation by the user to dispense selected flavors of bonus syrups. Light sources illuminate the switches and the illumination, sequence of illumination and intensity of the light sources are controlled in a manner to visually identify to the user the various states of operation of the dispenser.

1 . An ice and beverage dispenser, comprising: 
 a control panel on a housing of said dispenser;    means on said control panel for being controlled by a user to operate said dispenser in first and second states where beverages and flavored syrups are respectively dispensed by said dispenser;    means for operating said dispenser in a third state where ice is dispensed by said dispenser;    and means for visibly indicating to a user the state of said dispenser.    
   
   
       2 . An ice and beverage dispenser as in  claim 1 , wherein said visibly indicating means generates visual indications of said dispenser being in said first, second and third states and of said dispenser being in a fourth state where said dispenser is in standby or idle.  
   
   
       3 . An ice and beverage dispenser as in  claim 2 , wherein said means on said control panel for being controlled by the user comprises: 
 a first plurality of switches for being actuated by the user to operate said dispenser in said first state in which a beverage associated with an actuated switch of said first plurality is dispensed;    a second plurality of switches for being actuated by the user to operate said dispenser in said second state in which a flavored syrup associated with an actuated switch of said second plurality is dispensed,    and wherein said means for visibly indicating comprises:    illuminator means; and    means for controlling said illuminator means to visibly indicate to the user the state of said dispenser.    
   
   
       4 . An ice and beverage dispenser as in  claim 3 , wherein said illuminator means is visible on said control panel.  
   
   
       5 . An ice and beverage dispenser as in  claim 3 , wherein said illuminator means illuminates said switches of said first and second pluralities of switches.  
   
   
       6 . An ice and beverage dispenser as in  claim 3 , wherein said illuminator means provides illumination around said switches of said first and second pluralities of switches.  
   
   
       7 . An ice and beverage dispenser as in  claim 3 , wherein said controlling means controls said illuminator means to provide first, second, third and fourth visible indications when said dispenser is in said respective first, second, third and fourth states.  
   
   
       8 . An ice and beverage dispenser as in  claim 7 , wherein said first, second, third and fourth visible indications are visibly distinct one from the other.  
   
   
       9 . An ice and beverage dispenser as in  claim 3 , wherein said means for controlling is responsive to an absence of actuation of switches of said first and second pluralities and to an absence of dispensing of ice to control said illuminator means to visibly indicate that said dispenser is in said fourth state.  
   
   
       10 . A method of operating an ice and beverage dispenser, comprising the steps of: 
 operating the dispenser in a first state in which beverage is dispensed;    operating the dispenser in a second state in which flavored syrup is dispensed;    operating the dispenser in a third state in which ice is dispensed; and    visibly indicating to a user the state of the dispenser.    
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein said visibly indicating step comprises generating visual indications of the dispenser being in the first, second and third states and in a fourth state where the dispenser is in standby or idle.  
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said visibly indicating step comprises the steps of: 
 providing illuminators on the dispenser; and    controlling the illuminators to visibly indicate the state of the dispenser.    
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein the dispenser has a first plurality of switches for being actuated to operate the dispenser in the first state in which beverage is dispensed, a second plurality of switches for being actuated to operate the dispenser in the second state in which flavored syrup is dispensed, and a control panel for mounting the first and second pluralities of switches, 
 wherein said providing step provides illuminators at the control panel.    
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein said providing step provides illuminators at the control panel in association with the switches of the first and second pluralities.  
   
   
       15 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein said providing step provides illuminators around individual ones of the switches of the first and second pluralities.  
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein said controlling step is responsive to actuation of switches of the first and second pluralities to control said providing step to visibly indicate the first and second states of the dispenser.  
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein said controlling step controls the illuminators to provide first, second, third and fourth visible indications when the dispenser is in the respective first, second, third and fourth states.  
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth visible indications are visibly distinct one from the other.  
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein said controlling step is responsive to an absence of actuation of switches of the first and second pluralities and to an absence of ice dispense to control the illuminators to visibly indicate the fourth state of the dispenser.