Coordinated operation of automated dispensing systems to dispense beverages according to dynamically generated formulas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional beverage dispensing systems face inconsistencies and inefficiencies due to manual ingredient measurement, which leads to variations in beverage composition, increased complexity, and reduced ability to recreate modified recipes, resulting in poor user experience and system inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An automated system that maintains a recipe data set and dynamically generates formulas to adjust for modifications, allowing precise and consistent dispensing of ingredients across a fleet of dispensing systems, improving beverage quality and consistency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual ingredient measurement is used in traditional beverage dispensing systems, then operational flexibility is maintained, but beverage composition consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidbeverage composition consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement operations with an automated computer vision system that captures images of ingredients, identifies them, and determines their quantities through image analysis. This substitution eliminates human variability in measurement while maintaining operational flexibility through the automated system's ability to adapt to different ingredients and measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary computer vision system between the ingredient container and the dispensing mechanism. This intermediary captures images, processes them through machine learning models, and provides measurement data to control the dispensing operation, thereby ensuring consistent measurement without direct manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual measurement methods are used, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidingredient measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple mechanical measurement tools with an automated computer vision system equipped with image capture devices and machine learning models. Although this increases device complexity, it dramatically improves measurement precision by eliminating human error and providing consistent, repeatable measurements across all dispensing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If automated dispensing systems are implemented, then beverage consistency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage consistencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated dispensing system that uses computer vision technology to identify ingredients and determine their quantities through image analysis. This automated approach ensures consistent beverage preparation by eliminating manual measurement variability, while the system complexity is managed through integrated software that coordinates image capture, analysis, and dispensing control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the dispensing system to perform its own measurement and control functions through automated image capture and analysis. The system independently identifies ingredients, determines quantities, and controls dispensing without requiring external manual intervention, thereby improving consistency while managing complexity through self-contained automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If modified recipes are not systematically tracked, then system operation is simplified, but recipe recreation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidrecipe recreation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the computer vision system captures images of ingredients and measurements, which are then processed and stored as structured data. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from each dispensing operation, track modified recipes, and reliably recreate them by referencing stored image data and measurement results, thereby improving recipe recreation capability without significantly complicating system operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20230339738A1Coordinated operation of automated dispensing systems to dispense beverages according to dynamically generated formulas

Publication Date: 2023.10.26 STARBUCKS CORPORATION

AI summary

The disclosure generally relates to a system for dynamically generating a second formula for a beverage based on a first formula for the beverage, a modification, and a formula generation policy. The second formula may indicate components for the beverages, measures of the components, and/or a sequencing order for the components. Based on the second formula, the system can build computer-executable instructions for automated dispensing systems and route the computer-executable instructions to the automated dispensing systems. By routing the computer-executable instructions to the automated dispensing systems, the system may cause the automated dispensing systems to build the beverage.