Self-serve beverage dispenser volume control via barcode reconciliation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-serve beverage dispensers lack regulation of access and product dispense, leading to indiscriminate refills and inconsistencies between consumer selection and purchased beverage.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispenser system that includes an acquisition unit, a control unit, and an interface, with a memory that stores computer-executable instructions. The system identifies a barcode associated with a beverage vessel, determines its validity based on usage records, and prevents further dispensing when a maximum volume is exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional self-serve beverage dispensers operate without monitoring, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of substance worsens due to indiscriminate refills
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a monitoring mechanism that tracks dispensed beverage volumes against purchased quantities. The processor compares the total dispensed volume with the purchased beverage quantity and prevents further dispensing when the purchased quantity is exhausted, creating a feedback loop that eliminates indiscriminate refills while preserving self-serve operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring system between the consumer and the beverage dispenser. This intermediary mechanism (comprising the acquisition unit, processor, and control logic) acts as a mediator that allows self-serve operation while preventing over-dispensing by intercepting and controlling the dispensing process based on purchased quantity tracking
2Ease of operation
If beverage dispensing is permitted without verification, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to inconsistency between selection and purchased beverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by acquiring and storing the barcode associated with the purchased beverage before allowing dispensing. The processor validates that the selected beverage matches the purchased beverage type, and only then permits dispensing operations, ensuring reliability while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring mechanism provides continuous feedback by comparing selected beverages against purchased beverage information. When a mismatch is detected, the system prevents dispensing, thereby ensuring that only congruent beverage selections are fulfilled and maintaining reliability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
Embodiments and associated aspects of the disclosure permit regulation of dispense of a product in a self-serve environment via, at least in part, reconciliation of a product order originated in an access device, such as a point-of-sale (POS) device, and a product selection effected at a product dispenser configured to fulfill the product order.