Beverage Dispenser Camera Monitoring for Cup Codes and Residue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage dispensers face issues with product residue accumulation and unsanitary appearances due to splash or spray, and dispensing parameters on consumer cups can obscure marketing indicia or graphics, while current RFID tags may be tampered with.

Innovation Solution

A beverage dispenser equipped with a dispensing area camera and optical recognition system, utilizing artificial intelligence to detect cups, monitor cleanliness, and read invisible ink codes on cups for accurate dispensing parameters without interfering with existing graphics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If product dispensing parameters are printed on the consumer's cup, then the beverage dispenser can identify dispensing parameters, but the printing may obscure other indicia such as marketing indicia or graphics on the cup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading dispensing parametersVSAvoidobscuring marketing indicia

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual inspection of printed parameters with an optical recognition system using cameras and image processing. The system captures images of the cup, digitally processes them to extract dispensing parameters, and displays them on a screen, eliminating the need for printed text that would obscure marketing graphics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If RFID tags are used on cups for dispensing parameters, then the beverage dispenser can access product information, but the tags may be tampered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessing product informationVSAvoidtampering with tags

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces RFID tags with a visual code system (barcodes, QR codes, or printed parameters) that is read optically by cameras. This eliminates the electronic components that could be tampered with, while the optical reading system provides sufficient reliability for identifying dispensing parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a crew member manually monitors the dispensing area, then product residue can be noticed, but several dispenses may occur before residue is detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetecting product residueVSAvoidtime for residue detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automatic optical recognition system with cameras that continuously monitor the dispensing area for product residue. The system self-detects and identifies residue without requiring manual inspection by crew members, providing immediate detection after each dispense event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The optical recognition system provides continuous feedback by capturing images of the dispensing area, analyzing them for residue, and alerting crew members or triggering cleaning protocols when residue is detected, creating a closed-loop monitoring system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional beverage bases are used, then the dispenser structure is simple, but the number and types of beverages offered are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber and types of beveragesVSAvoiddispenser structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments beverage bases into concentrated micro-ingredients stored in separate cartons, allowing flexible combination with water or other diluents. This segmentation enables a wide variety of beverages to be created from a limited set of concentrated components, increasing versatility without requiring large storage space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optical recognition system serves multiple functions: reading dispensing parameters on cups, identifying product residue in the dispensing area, and potentially tracking inventory. This multi-functionality increases beverage dispensing versatility while controlling system complexity through a single integrated platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Maintains cleanliness by detecting residue and ensuring proper dispensing, while allowing precise control of dispensing parameters without RFID tags, reducing tampering risks and enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

reading invisible ink codes on cups for accurate dispensing parameters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12428283B2Beverage dispenser with dispensing area cameras

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 THE COCA COLA CO

AI summary

The present application provides a beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage into a cup. The beverage dispenser may include a dispensing area with a nozzle and an optical recognition system. The optical recognition system may include a camera positioned about the dispensing area.