Beverage dispensing system with machine vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beverage dispensing systems are inconvenient for users to customize beverages to their individual tastes, require frequent adjustments, and lack personalized settings, especially when multiple users share the same system.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator-integrated beverage dispensing system with machine vision and intelligent control that uses an imaging device to recognize users and containers, allowing for personalized settings, usage tracking, and restriction-based dispensing, enabling convenient and tailored beverage preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users manually adjust beverage dispensing parameters for each use, then beverage customization to individual tastes is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates and operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic user identification and beverage parameter adjustment without requiring manual user input. The imaging device captures user images, the control system identifies users and retrieves their preferences, and the beverage dispensing parameters are automatically configured, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring continuous user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
User preferences and beverage parameters are pre-configured and stored in the system during initial setup or previous uses. When a user approaches the dispenser, the system retrieves these pre-stored preferences and automatically applies them, eliminating the need for real-time manual adjustment and providing instant personalized service
2Productivity
If multiple users share the same beverage dispensing system, then resource utilization is improved, but the complexity of managing individual user preferences increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously captures user images, compares them against stored user profiles, and automatically adjusts beverage parameters based on identified user preferences. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to dynamically adapt to different users without manual reconfiguration, seamlessly managing multiple user profiles
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage dispensing system is designed to serve multiple users with different preferences through a single unified interface. The imaging-based user identification system provides a universal method for distinguishing between users, while the control system universally manages multiple preference profiles, allowing one system to fulfill multiple user needs without requiring separate dispensing units for each user
3Adaptability or versatility
If an imaging device is added for user recognition, then personalized beverage dispensing is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual user identification methods (such as keypads, cards, or biometric scanners) with an imaging-based recognition system. The imaging device captures visual information and the control system processes images to identify users, substituting complex mechanical identification hardware with simpler optical sensing and software-based recognition algorithms
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is provided which includes a cabinet. A first compartment and second compartment are disposed within the cabinet. A first door provides access to the first compartment and a second door provides access to the second compartment. A beverage dispensing system is operatively connected to the cabinet. A machine vision system associated with the beverage dispensing system. The machine vision system has an imaging device.