Beverage preparation machine arranged to share capsule image and machine operation data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines lack an efficient method to determine capsule characteristics and track usage, leading to manual data entry and potential over/understocking of capsules.
Innovation Solution
The system captures an image of the capsule using an imaging device and transmits undecoded image data to a remote computer, which processes the data to determine capsule characteristics and track usage, sending notifications for replenishment based on consumption and purchase history.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the beverage preparation machine determines capsule characteristics locally, then the machine can identify capsule type and ingredients, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex image processing and capsule identification functions from the beverage preparation machine and relocates them to a remote server. The machine only captures images and transmits them, while the server performs the heavy computational work of decoding indicia and determining capsule characteristics, thereby reducing local device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary between the beverage preparation machine and the capsule identification process. The server acts as a mediator that receives images from the machine, processes them to determine capsule characteristics, and returns the results, thereby offloading complex processing from the machine while maintaining accurate capsule identification.
2Loss of information
If manual data entry is used for capsule usage tracking, then the system can record consumption, but time loss and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically track capsule usage through image capture and processing. The beverage preparation machine automatically captures images of used capsules, transmits them to the server, and the server automatically processes and records the usage data, eliminating the need for manual data entry while maintaining accurate tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of data entry with an automated electronic system. Instead of manually recording usage information, the system uses imaging devices, network transmission, and server-side processing to automatically capture and record capsule usage data, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining tracking accuracy.
3Reliability
If capsule stock levels are not monitored, then the system operates simply, but overstocking or understocking occurs leading to waste or service disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring capsule usage through automatic image capture and processing. The system tracks consumption patterns, compares current stock levels against historical data, and provides feedback to both users and inventory management systems, enabling timely replenishment decisions while maintaining simple operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively monitoring capsule stock levels and predicting future needs based on usage patterns. The system analyzes consumption data in advance, identifies when replenishment is needed before stock runs out, and enables proactive inventory management, thereby ensuring reliable capsule availability without complex real-time monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for sharing capsule image data and beverage preparation parameters, from one or more beverage preparation machines with a remote computer system via a network, such as the Internet, is disclosed. The remote computer system may process the capsule image data to determine characteristics of the capsule (e.g., a type of capsule, such as a brand, or beverage ingredients in the capsule), thereby relieving the beverage preparation from having to determine information about the capsule. The remote computer may track a user's consumption of capsules, may compare this value to the user's past capsule purchase history, and may determine if the user's supply of capsules is below a threshold value (e.g., below a week's worth of capsules).