Machine and system for the preparation of liquid products using capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines are limited to using capsules from a single manufacturer, restricting consumer choice and forcing buyers to purchase capsules adapted for their specific encoding, which hampers competition and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A machine equipped with an optical sensor system capable of recognizing and processing graphic information from capsules of various manufacturers, allowing for the use of a wide range of capsules by storing pre-defined brewing information for different types, enabling optimal preparation parameters to be selected automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the machine uses a specific encoding system adapted to one manufacturer's capsules, then the machine can reliably recognize and process that manufacturer's capsules, but the machine cannot operate with capsules from other manufacturers
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor device is designed to read multiple types of graphic codes (barcodes, QR codes, Data Matrix codes) rather than being limited to a single encoding system. This universal reading capability allows the machine to operate with capsules from different manufacturers while maintaining reliable recognition through the control system's ability to process various code formats and extract preparation parameters.
2Loss of information
If the machine uses a two-dimensional barcode system, then the machine can store significant amounts of preparation data including temperature, pressure, and water amount, but the machine requires precise angular positioning of the capsule for accurate reading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes graphic codes with different visual characteristics (patterns, densities, arrangements) that can be recognized by the optical sensor regardless of the capsule's angular position. The control system is programmed to interpret these visual variations and extract the required preparation parameters without needing precise angular alignment, effectively using visual pattern recognition rather than position-dependent reading.
3Device complexity
If the machine is designed to work with capsules from a single manufacturer, then the machine's structure can be simplified and optimized for that specific capsule type, but the consumer's choice and competition are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The machine employs a universal optical sensor and control system that can read and interpret graphic codes from multiple manufacturers' capsules. The control system stores preparation parameters for various capsule types and automatically selects the appropriate parameters based on the recognized code, maintaining operational simplicity while enabling compatibility with diverse capsule products and preserving consumer choice.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The machine operates reliably and safely with capsules from different manufacturers, enhancing consumer choice and flexibility by automatically selecting optimal preparation parameters based on the capsule's graphic information, thus overcoming the limitations of single-manufacturer compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor device, for detecting graphic information associated to the body of a capsule
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine for preparing liquid food products using capsules (30) comprises: • - a control system (9, 12-13), including processing means, non-volatile memory means and an optical sensor device (9) for acquiring an image of at least one portion of an end wall of the body of a capsule (30), to which there is associated graphical information representing the type of capsule (30); • - mean for heating the fluid (54) and means for feeding the fluid (53), controllable for supplying the fluid to the infusion chamber at a determined temperature and with one of pressure and quantity substantially determined. The processing means are prearranged for controlling at least the heating means and the feeding means to obtain a plurality of possible modes of operation of the machine on the basis of encoded instructions contained in the memory means and of the graphical information representative of the type of capsule. The processing means are prearranged for comparing an image acquired by means of optical sensor device with a plurality of reference images of the different types of capsules that are encoded in the memory means.