Beverage preparation machine comprising location system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Beverage preparation machines in public or corporate settings face challenges in remote management, including incorrect location data due to manual entry errors, movement without authorization, and theft, which can lead to inefficient maintenance and repair operations.

Innovation Solution

The system equips beverage preparation machines with a communication interface and a location system for automatic geolocation, allowing them to transmit location information to a remote resource, which compares it with manually entered data to detect discrepancies, enabling correction or disabling the machine if moved unauthorizedly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual location entry is used for beverage preparation machines, then device complexity is reduced, but location data accuracy deteriorates due to entry errors and database updates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation system complexityVSAvoidlocation data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual location entry (mechanical/human operation) with automatic geolocation using GPS satellite signals. The beverage preparation machine includes a location system with a satellite receiver that automatically determines and transmits location coordinates, eliminating manual data entry errors while maintaining simple device architecture through integrated GPS functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If automatic geolocation system is added to beverage preparation machines, then location data accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation data accuracyVSAvoidmachine system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The location system is integrated into the existing beverage preparation machine's communication infrastructure. The same communication interface used for remote management and data transmission is also used for sending location information to the central server. This multi-functional approach allows accurate geolocation without adding separate dedicated systems, thereby minimizing complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If remote management of beverage preparation machines is performed without accurate location tracking, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of maintenance operations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote management easeVSAvoidmaintenance operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback by automatically transmitting location information from the beverage preparation machine to the central server. The server compares received location data with database records and sends correction notifications back to the machine or operator. This feedback loop ensures maintenance operations are performed at the correct location while maintaining simple remote management procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3370585B1Beverage preparation machine comprising location system
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA
  • EP3370585B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370585B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3370585B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (4) for preparing at least one beverage from a beverage material, the machine (4) being provided with a modem (91) for communication with a remote resource such as a server (95), and being configured to send machine remote management data to said remote resource. The machine (4) comprises location system configured for automatic geolocation of the machine (4), and the machine (4) is configured to send to the remote resource location information determined by said location system. This for example makes it possible to confirm or correct the location of a machine, to correct mistakes that can occur when a machine is installed or moved, or to take appropriate measures when a machine is stolen. The invention also relates to a system comprising such a beverage preparation machine and a remote resource with which it is configured to communicate, and to a method for remote management of a beverage preparation machine (4).