Beverage Machine Remote Capsule Image Decoding for Usage Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines face challenges in determining capsule characteristics and tracking usage, as they need to decode machine-readable codes on capsules, which can be complex and require additional processing capabilities, and there is a need for efficient capsule replenishment notifications based on usage patterns.
Innovation Solution
The system captures images of capsule indicia using an imaging device and transmits them to a remote computer for decoding, allowing the remote system to determine capsule characteristics and track usage, while also sending beverage preparation parameters, enabling remote monitoring and automatic replenishment notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the beverage preparation machine decodes capsule images locally, then capsule characteristics can be determined, but the machine complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the image decoding function from the beverage preparation machine and relocates it to a remote server. The machine only captures images with an imaging device and transmits them via network, while the remote server performs the complex decoding and characteristic determination. This separation resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision at the remote location while reducing device complexity at the machine location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network communication system as an intermediary between the beverage preparation machine and the remote server. The machine sends capsule images through this intermediary, and receives decoded information back, avoiding the need for the machine to have direct decoding capabilities. This mediator approach allows precise measurement without increasing machine complexity.
2Productivity
If the beverage preparation machine tracks and analyzes usage patterns locally, then replenishment notifications can be generated, but the machine requires additional processing and storage capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the usage pattern analysis and replenishment notification functions from the beverage preparation machine and relocates them to a remote server. The machine simply records usage data and transmits it via network, while the remote server performs the analytical processing and generates notifications. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining productivity through centralized analysis while reducing the processing and storage requirements at the machine location.
3Loss of information
If the system captures and transmits capsule images for every beverage preparation, then remote systems can determine capsule characteristics, but data transmission requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the remote server decode capsule images and extract only the essential characteristic information before receiving subsequent images. The server maintains a database of decoded capsule characteristics and can match new images against known patterns, reducing the need to transmit and re-process complete image data for every beverage preparation. This maintains information accuracy while reducing data transmission volume through preliminary processing and pattern recognition.
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
This solution relieves the beverage preparation machine from decoding capsule images, allowing it to focus on brewing, and provides efficient capsule replenishment notifications based on usage patterns, enhancing user convenience and reducing manual tracking efforts.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging device arranged to capture an image of a portion of the capsule in the capsule holder having a machine readable code
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).