Interactive Touchscreen for Beverage Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data collection and processing apparatuses in the beverage-processing industry are limited in their ability to interact with various objects and require manual input, making them unsuitable for use with gloves and inefficient for large objects or those with complex identification needs.
Innovation Solution
An interactive touchscreen apparatus capable of visually recognizing two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects, reading two-dimensional codes, and communicating wirelessly to automate data collection and processing, allowing for flexible operation as both a mobile and stationary device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a capacitive touchscreen is used for manual input, then the apparatus can process manual inputs of an operator, but it cannot recognize objects or interact with gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a capacitive touchscreen with an optical recognition system (camera and image processing unit) into a single integrated apparatus. This merging allows the device to perform both manual input processing and object recognition functions, resolving the contradiction by adding versatility without requiring completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreen apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it can detect manual inputs via capacitive touch, recognize objects through optical imaging, and interface with various devices. This multi-functionality approach allows a single device to handle diverse tasks including object identification, data collection, and user interaction, thereby improving adaptability.
2Extent of automation
If the apparatus is designed for manual input processing, then it can handle operator inputs, but it cannot automatically collect data from objects or automate procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus enables objects to essentially serve themselves by automatically presenting their identification data (such as barcodes or visual characteristics) to the optical recognition system. The system automatically processes this data without requiring manual intervention, thereby achieving self-service automation while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical input methods with an optical recognition system that automatically captures and processes object data. This substitution eliminates the need for manual data entry while maintaining user-friendly operation, thereby increasing automation without sacrificing ease of use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus can only process manual inputs, then it has simple operation, but it cannot interact with large objects or those with complex identification needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing function into distinct modules: an optical recognition unit for capturing object data, an image processing unit for analyzing visual information, and a data processing unit for handling the collected data. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex objects and identification needs while keeping each component relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical recognition system between the user and the objects. This intermediary captures object data and presents it to the processing system, thereby enabling interaction with large or complex objects without directly increasing the complexity of the core processing apparatus. The intermediary handles the complexity of object variation and identification.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, and a corresponding method, for assisting data collection and/or data processing for the operation of installations in the beverage-processing industry, the apparatus having an interactive touchscreen that has read capability and that can visually recognize two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional objects.