Machine and electronic device for personalized beverage preparation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage preparation machines are limited in their ability to produce optimized and personalized beverages according to user preferences, as they primarily operate on predefined standard parameters that cannot be conveniently altered by the user.

Innovation Solution

A beverage preparation machine equipped with a control unit that operates in multiple modes, allowing it to set beverage process parameters based on cartridge data and data from external electronic devices, enabling the preparation of optimized and personalized beverages through interaction with cartridges and external devices like smartphones or RFID tags.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If beverage preparation machines operate on predefined standard parameters, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability and ability to provide personalized beverages deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies the cartridge type through recognition means and self-configures the beverage preparation parameters based on the identified cartridge characteristics, eliminating the need for manual user input while providing personalized beverage preparation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses cartridge recognition means to detect cartridge data and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the beverage preparation parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to different cartridge types automatically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If beverage preparation machines add complex user interfaces for parameter adjustment, then adaptability and personalization capability are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex user interface and parameter adjustment functionality are extracted from the beverage preparation machine and relocated to an external electronic device, leaving the machine with a simple operation interface while maintaining advanced personalization capabilities through wireless communication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

An external electronic device acts as an intermediary between the user and the beverage preparation machine, handling complex parameter configuration and communication, while the machine itself maintains simplicity through automated cartridge recognition and parameter setting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If beverage preparation machines include comprehensive user interfaces for parameter control, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies the cartridge type through recognition means and self-configures the beverage preparation parameters based on the identified cartridge characteristics, eliminating the need for manual user input while providing personalized beverage preparation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3275345B2Machine and electronic device for personalized beverage preparation
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA
  • EP3275345B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3275345B2 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3275345B2 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (10) for preparing a variety of beverages according to optimized and/or personalized beverage process parameters, the machine comprising a brewing chamber for receiving a beverage-ingredients containing cartridge (60) and recognition means (16) designed to interact with the cartridge (60), a control unit (15) operable to execute a beverage preparation process according to beverage process parameters in order to prepare a beverage by injection of liquid into the cartridge (60), and a network unit (17) connected to the control unit (15) and designed for communicating with at least one external electronic device (1,20), wherein the control unit (15) is designed to selectively operate at least in two different modes (A,B) for setting the beverage process parameters based on cartridge data provided by the cartridge recognition means (16) and/or based on data provided by the at least one electronic device (1,20) networked to the machine (10).