Beverage dispensing apparatus and beverage dispensing method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage dispensing apparatuses are prone to human error in selection, leading to incorrect beverage dispensing and potential waste, as users may press the wrong button or experience miscommunication with store clerks, resulting in undesired beverages being prepared and dispensed.

Innovation Solution

A beverage dispensing apparatus and method that includes a beverage reading unit to identify the selected beverage, a display unit to confirm the selection, and a control unit to prepare and dispense the beverage only after user confirmation, utilizing a container with encoded information and optical sensors to prevent errors and ensure accurate dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a user manually selects a beverage from a menu on a touch panel, then the user can choose from multiple beverage options, but human error occurs leading to wrong button pressing and incorrect beverage dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage selection optionsVSAvoidbeverage selection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the container itself (with attached information code) to automatically identify and select the beverage type, eliminating the need for manual user selection. The container 'services' the selection process by providing its own identification code that the reading unit automatically detects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical interaction of pressing buttons on a touch panel is replaced with an automatic optical/electronic reading system that detects the information code on the container, thereby eliminating human error in selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the apparatus dispenses beverages based on manual selection, then dispensing speed is fast, but waste occurs when wrong beverages are dispensed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage dispensing speedVSAvoidbeverage waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of the correct beverage type by reading the information code on the container before dispensing begins. This preliminary action ensures that the correct beverage is prepared and dispensed, preventing waste from incorrect dispensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user by displaying the identified beverage information on the touch panel, allowing the user to confirm correctness before dispensing. This feedback loop prevents waste by enabling correction of any identification errors before the beverage is dispensed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a code reading unit automatically reads the information code on the container, then selection accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage selection accuracyVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch panel serves multiple functions: it displays the beverage menu for user information, shows the identified beverage code for confirmation, and accepts user input for dispensing control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The information code attached to the container acts as an intermediary that carries beverage identification information, enabling automatic recognition without requiring complex direct sensing mechanisms. The code serves as a simple, universal interface between the container and the reading unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces human errors in beverage selection and waste by ensuring that only the desired beverage is dispensed after confirmation, preventing miscommunication and incorrect dispensing of unwanted beverages.

Implementation Method 1

a beverage reading unit reading information indicating a beverage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11602240B2Beverage dispensing apparatus and beverage dispensing method

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

A beverage dispensing apparatus for preparing a beverage and dispensing the prepared beverage into a container. The beverage dispensing apparatus includes a beverage reading device configured to read information indicating the beverage, the information including a kind and a volume of the beverage, a display operation device configured to display thereon the information indicating the beverage, and a control device configured to perform control to cause the display operation device to display the information indicating the beverage, and to cause the beverage to be prepared and dispensed into the container.