Beverage Device Virtual Rendering for On-Board Diagnostic and Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage preparation devices lack efficient diagnostic and repair capabilities, requiring disassembly and manual troubleshooting, which is cumbersome and inefficient, especially in commercial settings where time and resource management are critical.

Innovation Solution

Integration of an on-board touch screen display and computing device with virtual rendering capabilities, allowing for error diagnosis and repair instructions without disassembly, using pre-defined operating characteristics and sensor feedback to generate alerts and repair outputs, enabling interactive diagnostic and repair processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If traditional diagnostic methods are used requiring disassembly, then detailed internal component inspection is possible, but device complexity increases and operation becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent inspection difficultyVSAvoiddiagnostic operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy (digital twin) of the physical beverage device that mirrors its internal structure and component states. This virtual rendering allows technicians to inspect and diagnose components without physical disassembly, effectively copying the inspection experience in a virtual environment while eliminating the need to open the actual device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary layer between the technician and the physical device components. Through the touch screen interface and virtual rendering, the technician interacts with a digital representation rather than directly manipulating physical components, facilitating easier operation while maintaining diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual troubleshooting procedures are used, then diagnostic coverage is comprehensive, but time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary diagnostic actions automatically by monitoring device components and comparing their states against the virtual rendering and predefined operating characteristics. This preliminary assessment identifies potential issues before they become critical problems, enabling faster intervention and reducing overall diagnostic time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensor data from the physical device is constantly compared against the virtual model and predefined norms. This real-time feedback mechanism automatically detects deviations and alerts technicians to specific issues, eliminating the need for manual troubleshooting steps and significantly reducing diagnostic time while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If virtual rendering and interactive diagnostics are implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic interface usabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual rendering system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays device structure, monitors component states, detects errors, provides diagnostic guidance, and tracks maintenance history. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated platform, improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the physical device monitoring system with a virtual visualization interface into an integrated diagnostic platform. By combining sensor data acquisition, virtual rendering, error detection, and user interaction into a unified system accessible through a touch screen, it improves operational ease while managing complexity through integration rather than multiplication of separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11768572B2Virtual service diagnosis and control system for a beverage device

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 BUNN COMMERCIAL LP

AI summary

A beverage device with improved diagnostic and repair functionality is shown and described. The beverage device includes an on-board touch screen display and a virtual rendering of device components of the beverage device. Repair instructions, replacement instructions, and diagnostic instructions may be more easily, and efficiently understood and followed by following on-screen outputs, alerts, and instructions that may include various color outputs, animations, and rotatable, movable, or zoomable views.