Beverage-ingredient container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing apparatuses require users to manually select and inform the device about the type of container inserted, which can lead to user error and increased complexity, especially when containers can be oriented differently.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a beverage-ingredient container with optical codes on two surfaces that can be read by the apparatus regardless of orientation, allowing automatic identification and control of beverage preparation parameters, eliminating the need for user input and enabling tracking of container usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single optical code is provided on the container, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the user must ensure correct container orientation for the code to be readable
Solution Approach 1:
The optical code information is segmented into two separate optical codes positioned on different surfaces of the container. This segmentation allows the system to read the container identifier regardless of which surface faces the optical scanner, eliminating the need for precise orientation while maintaining simple code structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed with multiple optical codes that serve the same function (identifying the container type) but are positioned on different surfaces. This multi-functionality ensures that the identification system works universally regardless of container orientation, improving ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If manual container type selection is required, then the measurement precision of container identification is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to additional user input time and potential for user error
Solution Approach 1:
The container itself provides the identification information through optical codes that contain container-related information including container identifier. The beverage dispensing apparatus automatically reads this information without requiring manual user input, enabling the system to self-identify the container type and retrieve appropriate beverage making parameters, thereby improving both precision and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of user selection and input is replaced with an optical reading system. The optical scanner automatically detects and reads the optical code on the container, substituting the manual selection process with an automated optical identification process that is both precise and rapid.
3Ease of operation
If optical codes are placed on multiple surfaces of the container, then the ease of operation is improved by allowing any orientation, but the device complexity increases due to multiple code positions
Solution Approach 1:
The identification system is segmented into multiple independent optical codes positioned on different surfaces of the container. Each optical code contains the necessary container identifier information, and the segmentation allows the system to function correctly regardless of which surface is presented to the optical scanner, achieving orientation independence with minimal additional complexity.
4Productivity
If automatic container identification is implemented, then the productivity is improved by eliminating manual input, but the device complexity increases due to the optical scanning system
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical input process is replaced with an optical identification system. The optical scanner reads optical codes on the container to automatically identify container type and retrieve beverage making parameters, substituting manual selection with automated optical recognition that improves productivity despite the added device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage-ingredient container to be used in the preparation of a beverage by a beverage dispensing apparatus. The container has a first optical code on the first surface of the container, wherein the first optical code is positioned on a first surface to be read by an optical scanner of the beverage dispensing apparatus when the container is received by the apparatus in a first orientation, and a second optical code on a second surface of the container, wherein the second optical code is positioned on the second surface to be read by the optical scanner of the beverage dispensing apparatus when the container is in a second orientation. The first optical code and the second optical code each stores container-related information including a container identifier which, when read by the optical scanner of the beverage dispensing apparatus, can be used by the beverage dispensing apparatus to control beverage preparation.