Beverage or foodstuff preparation system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems using capsules have limited encoding density for preparation information, restricting the amount of data that can be encoded on the capsule, which hinders optimal beverage preparation processes.
Innovation Solution
A container with a machine-readable code that includes asymmetric elements arranged to be read sequentially during rotation, allowing for additional information encoding and indicating the direction of rotation, enabling more sophisticated preparation processes on next-generation machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a code is arranged on the lower side of the flange of a capsule, then the code can be read by the machine, but the encoding density is limited and the amount of preparation information that can be encoded is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The code elements are arranged asymmetrically about a radial axis, with varying distances from the radial axis and varying orientations. This asymmetric arrangement allows for significantly higher encoding density compared to symmetric arrangements, enabling more preparation information to be encoded in the same limited flange area. The asymmetry provides additional degrees of freedom for encoding while maintaining machine readability.
Solution Approach 2:
The code elements utilize multiple dimensions for encoding: radial distance from the center, angular orientation, and position along the circumferential direction. By employing elements at different radial distances and orientations, the system effectively transforms a one-dimensional linear code into a two-dimensional spatial code, dramatically increasing the information capacity within the constrained flange area.
2Ease of operation
If the code elements are arranged to be read sequentially during rotation, then the container can be rotated relative to the code reader for convenient reading, but additional information about rotation direction is required
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric arrangement of code elements about the radial axis creates a unique pattern that is different when viewed from opposite directions. This allows the code reading system to determine the rotation direction by comparing the observed element patterns with expected patterns for clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations. The asymmetry effectively encodes directional information without requiring separate indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the code have different properties: elements at different radial distances and orientations provide locally distinct characteristics. This local differentiation allows the reading system to infer global rotation direction from local element configurations, enabling directional detection as an integrated part of the code structure rather than a separate function.
3Loss of information
If asymmetric code elements are used to indicate rotation direction, then directional information is encoded, but compatibility with legacy machines must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric code elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they encode preparation information, indicate rotation direction, and maintain compatibility with legacy reading systems. The code is designed so that legacy machines can still read the basic preparation information while next-generation machines with enhanced capabilities can additionally detect and utilize the rotation direction information embedded in the asymmetric arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be dynamically adaptable: legacy machines interpret the code elements in their traditional manner for basic preparation parameters, while next-generation machines dynamically detect the asymmetric patterns to extract additional rotation direction information. This dynamic interpretation allows the same physical code to serve different functional levels across different machine generations.
Data Source
AI summary
A container arranged for containing a precursor material for use with a machine for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff, the container including a machine-readable code storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by said machine, the code comprising a plurality of elements, the elements of the code are arranged to be read sequentially as the container is rotated about an axis of rotation (0), wherein the elements are arranged to be asymmetric about an axis (R) that extends in a radial direction from the axis of rotation, the asymmetric arrangement to indicate a particular direction of rotation.