Smart Beverage Machine

A smart beverage dispensing system that allows customers to place orders from cashier and receive their drinks through an automated dispensing mechanism. The system uses Arduino microcontrollers and ESP8266 WiFi modules for communication between the ordering station and the dispensing station.

Features

• Multiple Drink Options: Choose from three different beverages:

  • Cream Soda (Option A)
  • Fanta (Option B)
  • Portello (Option C)

• Size Selection: Select between two cup sizes:

  • Half Cup (Option 1)
  • Full Cup (Option 2)

• Unique Order Number System: Each order generates a unique identifier combining drink type, size, and timestamp

• Two Communication Methods:

  • WiFi communication using ESP8266 modules
  • Serial communication using Arduino Uno boards

• Cup Detection: IR sensor detects cup presence before dispensing

• LCD Display: Real-time feedback for customers on both ordering and dispensing stations

Hardware Requirements

Cashier machine Prototype (Ordering Station)

• 1x Arduino Uno OR 1x NodeMCU ESP8266
• 1x I2C LCD Display (20x4 for Uno, 16x2 for ESP)
• 1x 4x4 Matrix Keypad
• Jumper wires
• Power supply (5V for Arduino Uno, 3.3V/5V for NodeMCU)

Receiver (Dispensing Station)

• 1x Arduino Uno OR 1x NodeMCU ESP8266
• 1x I2C LCD Display (16x2)
• 1x 4x4 Matrix Keypad
• 1x IR Sensor (for cup detection)
• 3x Relay Modules (for controlling beverage dispensers)
• Jumper wires
• Power supply

Software Requirements

• Arduino IDE (1.8.x or later)
• Required Libraries:
  • Keypad library
  • Wire library (built-in)
  • LiquidCrystal_I2C library
  • ESP8266WiFi library (for ESP8266 versions)

Installing Required Libraries

1. Open Arduino IDE
2. Go to Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries
3. Search for and install:
   • "Keypad" by Mark Stanley and Alexander Brevig
   • "LiquidCrystal I2C" by Frank de Brabander

For ESP8266 support:

1. Go to File → Preferences
2. Add this URL to "Additional Board Manager URLs":

   http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json
   

   Note: The ESP8266 board package uses HTTP for the stable package index.
3. Go to Tools → Board → Boards Manager
4. Search for "ESP8266" and install the package

Pin Configuration

Sender_Uno (Arduino Uno)

• LCD (I2C): SDA (A4), SCL (A5) - analog pins on Arduino Uno
• Keypad:
  • Row Pins: D2, D3, D4, D5
  • Column Pins: D6, D7, D8, D9

Receiver_Uno (Arduino Uno)

• LCD (I2C): SDA (A4), SCL (A5) - analog pins on Arduino Uno
• Keypad:
  • Row Pins: D2, D3, D4, D5
  • Column Pins: D6, D7, D8, D9
• IR Sensor: D10
• Relay Modules:
  • Relay A (Cream Soda): D11
  • Relay B (Fanta): D12
  • Relay C (Portello): D13

ESP8266 Versions

For ESP8266 modules, refer to the NodeMCU pinout diagram for GPIO mapping.

Installation & Setup

Option 1: Using Arduino Uno (Serial Communication)

Sender Setup

1. Open Sender_Uno/Sender_Uno.ino in Arduino IDE
2. Connect the Arduino Uno to your computer via USB
3. Select Tools → Board → Arduino Uno
4. Select the correct COM port under Tools → Port
5. Click Upload

Receiver Setup

1. Open Receiver_Uno/Receiver_Uno.ino in Arduino IDE
2. Connect the second Arduino Uno to your computer via USB
3. Select Tools → Board → Arduino Uno
4. Select the correct COM port under Tools → Port
5. Click Upload

Wiring

Connect the TX pin of Sender Uno to RX pin of Receiver Uno and connect GND of both boards together.

Option 2: Using ESP8266 (WiFi Communication)

Sender Setup (Access Point)

1. Open Sender_ESP/Sender_ESP.ino in Arduino IDE
2. Configure WiFi credentials (modify these with your own secure values):

   const char* ssid = "Flavor_Flow";     // Change to your preferred network name
   const char* password = "flavorflow123"; // Change to a strong password

   Note: Use a strong, unique password for your WiFi access point.
3. Connect the NodeMCU ESP8266 to your computer via USB
4. Select Tools → Board → NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP-12E Module)
5. Select the correct COM port under Tools → Port
6. Click Upload

Receiver Setup (WiFi Client)

1. Open Receiver_ESP/Receiver_ESP.ino in Arduino IDE
2. Ensure WiFi credentials match the sender (use the same values you set in the sender):

   const char* ssid = "Flavor_Flow";           // Must match sender SSID
   const char* password = "flavorflow123";     // Must match sender password
   const char* serverAddress = "192.168.4.1";  // Default AP IP address

3. Connect the second NodeMCU ESP8266 to your computer via USB
4. Select Tools → Board → NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP-12E Module)
5. Select the correct COM port under Tools → Port
6. Click Upload

Usage

Ordering Process (Sender Station)

1. Select Drink Type: The LCD displays the drink menu

   • Press 'A' for Cream Soda
   • Press 'B' for Fanta
   • Press 'C' for Portello

2. Select Size: After selecting a drink, choose the size

   • Press '1' for Half Cup
   • Press '2' for Full Cup

3. Receive Order Number: A unique order number will be displayed on the LCD

   • Format: [DrinkType][Size][Timestamp]
   • Example: A1123456789 (Cream Soda, Half Cup, timestamp: 123456789)

4. Proceed to Dispensing Station: Remember or note down your order number

Dispensing Process (Receiver Station)

1. Enter Order Number: Using the keypad, enter your order number

   • Use '*' key for backspace/delete
   • Use '#' key to submit/confirm

2. Place Cup: If prompted, place your cup under the dispenser

   • IR sensor will detect the cup presence

3. Receive Beverage: The system will automatically dispense your selected drink

   • Half Cup: 3 seconds dispensing time
   • Full Cup: 5 seconds dispensing time

4. Order Complete: Remove your cup and enjoy your beverage!

System Architecture

[Sender Station]                    [Receiver Station]
Customer Input                      Order Validation
    ↓                                      ↓
LCD Display Menu                    LCD Display Status
    ↓                                      ↓
Keypad Selection                    Keypad Entry
    ↓                                      ↓
Order Number Generation             Order Number Verification
    ↓                                      ↓
WiFi/Serial Transmission    →       Cup Detection (IR)
                                           ↓
                                    Relay Control
                                           ↓
                                    Beverage Dispensing

Troubleshooting

LCD Not Displaying

• Check I2C address (default: 0x27). Use an I2C scanner sketch to find the correct address
• Verify I2C connections (SDA, SCL)
• Check if LCD backlight is enabled in code

WiFi Connection Issues (ESP8266)

• Verify SSID and password are correct
• Ensure both ESP8266 modules are within range
• Check if Access Point is created (Sender ESP should create "Flavor_Flow" network)
• Verify IP address (default AP IP: 192.168.4.1)

Keypad Not Responding

• Check all row and column pin connections
• Verify pin numbers in the code match your wiring
• Test keypad with serial output to debug

Relays Not Activating

• Check relay pin connections
• Ensure relay module has adequate power supply
• Verify relay logic (some relays are active LOW, others active HIGH)

Cup Not Detected

• Check IR sensor connections and power
• Adjust IR sensor sensitivity (if available)
• Test sensor with Serial.println() to verify readings

Customization

Changing Drink Names

Edit the drink names in Sender_Uno.ino or Sender_ESP.ino:

lcd1.print("A. Cream Soda");
lcd1.print("B. Fanta");
lcd1.print("C. Portello");

Adjusting Dispensing Time

Modify the delay values in Receiver_Uno.ino:

// Half Cup
digitalWrite(relayPinA, HIGH);
delay(3000);  // Change this value (milliseconds)
digitalWrite(relayPinA, LOW);

// Full Cup
digitalWrite(relayPinA, HIGH);
delay(5000);  // Change this value (milliseconds)
digitalWrite(relayPinA, LOW);

Changing WiFi Credentials

Update in both Sender_ESP.ino and Receiver_ESP.ino:

const char* ssid = "YourNetworkName";
const char* password = "YourPassword";

Security Note: Never commit your actual WiFi credentials to public repositories. Consider using a separate configuration file that is excluded from version control (add to .gitignore).

License

This project is open source and available for educational and personal use.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Feel free to:

• Report bugs
• Suggest new features
• Submit pull requests

Authors

• Janith Jay

Acknowledgments

• Thanks to the Arduino community for the excellent libraries
• Inspired by automated vending machine systems