Beverage Dispenser NFC Pre-Selection to Reduce User Interaction Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensers are inefficient due to the time-consuming process of selecting beverages after positioning the vessel, which reduces the overall output and requires direct user interaction, increasing the risk of contamination.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing near-field communication (NFC) between a personal electronic device and a portable beverage vessel to pre-select beverage parameters, allowing energy harvesting for vessel processing, and enabling seamless communication with the dispenser for efficient beverage dispensing without direct user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If beverage selection is performed after positioning the vessel at the dispenser, then the user can choose the desired beverage, but the dispenser output is reduced due to time-consuming interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs beverage selection in advance by storing beverage parameter sets in the portable vessel before it reaches the dispenser. The user selects beverages using a personal electronic device while away from the dispenser, and this selection is transmitted to the vessel via NFC communication. When the vessel is positioned at the dispenser, the pre-selected beverage parameters are automatically read and used for dispensing, eliminating the need for time-consuming interaction at the dispenser and thereby increasing dispenser output.
2Reliability
If direct user interaction is required at the dispenser, then beverage selection can be confirmed, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a personal electronic device as an intermediary between the user and the dispenser. The user interacts with the beverage selection interface on their personal device, which then transmits the selection data to the portable vessel via NFC communication. The vessel stores this data and presents it to the dispenser without requiring the user to physically interact with the dispenser interface. This intermediary approach maintains selection accuracy while eliminating direct contact between the user and the dispenser, thereby reducing contamination risk.
3Device complexity
If the vessel stores beverage data locally, then communication with the dispenser is simplified, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel's communication system operates periodically rather than continuously. The vessel stores beverage data locally in memory during periods when no communication is needed, consuming minimal energy. When the vessel is positioned at the dispenser, the stored data is transmitted via NFC communication in a periodic burst. This periodic operation mode simplifies the communication system by using straightforward local storage and periodic transmission, while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous communication modes.
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 method significantly improves the output of beverage dispensers by reducing user interaction time, enhancing hygiene, and allowing for efficient energy harvesting, ensuring reliable and cost-effective beverage dispensing with pre-selected parameters.
Implementation Method 1
the beverage data is transmitted by a radio message from an antenna of the personal electronic device to an antenna of the beverage vessel by near field communication
Implementation Method 2
Electric energy from the radio message and/or RF-field received by the vessel antenna is extracted. The electric energy may be stored in an energy storage device of the beverage vessel.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of filling beverage into a beverage vessel: • storing beverage data in a memory (212) of the vessel controlled by a processor (210) after receiving the beverage data by the antenna of the beverage vessel; • after detecting the beverage vessel in the proximity of the beverage dispenser by near filed communication, transmitting by near filed communication under control of a dispenser controller (136) by the beverage dispenser a request command from an the antenna of the beverage dispenser to the antenna of the beverage vessel requesting to transmit beverage data in a radio message; • reading the beverage data from the memory of the beverage vessel and transmitting the beverage data by the antenna of the beverage vessel to the antenna of the beverage dispenser by near field communication under control of the vessel processor (210); and • outputting one of the at least one beverage defined by the beverage parameter set in the beverage data into the beverage vessel under control of the dispenser controller wherein the portable beverage vessel comprises a magnetic coupling element arranged at the container; and a control device having a complementary magnetic coupling element adapted to be releasably coupled with the magnetic coupling element