Package recognition system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing package recognition systems in beverage production machines face challenges with reliability and convenience, particularly in situations where packages are moving or in environments with residual ingredients, requiring high redundancy and precise alignment for accurate identification.
Innovation Solution
A package design with conductive material edge sections that encode information, allowing recognition through eddy current sensing using alternating current coils, enabling near-field, non-contact detection and tolerance for variations in positioning, even with water or tea residue present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical reading or mechanical sensing is used for package recognition, then package identification can be achieved, but the system requires precise alignment and is unreliable in environments with residual ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensors and optical reading systems with electromagnetic induction sensing. Instead of using mechanical contact or optical lines of sight that require precise alignment, the invention uses coils that generate magnetic fields to detect conductive material on the package. This substitution eliminates the need for precise mechanical alignment and makes the system robust against residual ingredients like water or tea that would interfere with optical or mechanical sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sensing parameter from optical reflection or mechanical contact to electromagnetic induction. By using alternating current in coils to generate magnetic fields that interact with conductive material on the package, the system detects packages through electromagnetic parameters rather than optical or mechanical parameters. This parameter change enables reliable detection without precise alignment and in the presence of residual ingredients.
2Reliability
If a coding system with high redundancy is used to ensure reliable reading, then package recognition reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical or mechanical recognition systems with a simpler electromagnetic induction system. Instead of using redundant optical sensors, cameras, or complex mechanical readers that require high redundancy for reliability, the invention uses simple coils that detect conductive material through electromagnetic induction. This substitution dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving reliability.
3Ease of operation
If non-contact detection is implemented to accommodate moving packages, then ease of operation improves, but the system requires near-field electromagnetic sensing which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex near-field electromagnetic sensing systems with simple coil-based electromagnetic induction sensors. Instead of using sophisticated capacitive, inductive, or RFID sensors that require complex electronics and signal processing, the invention uses basic coils that generate magnetic fields to detect conductive material. This substitution achieves non-contact detection for moving packages while keeping the device complexity low.
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 solution provides reliable and convenient package recognition with reduced complexity in the beverage production machine, allowing for accurate identification of packages with a simple coding system over a wide range of physical and electrical tolerances, suitable for a limited number of codes.
Implementation Method 1
the coils being positioned in the beverage production machine such that they generate eddy currents within the conductive material adjacent to the edge sections
Implementation Method 2
applying alternating current to two coils while the package is stationary, the coils being positioned in the beverage production machine such that they generate eddy currents within the conductive material
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3A~3D
Figure 4a~4d
AI summary
The invention provides a beverage production machine having an apparatus for recognising a package. The apparatus comprises two resonant tank circuits, each comprising a coil and a capacitor; two electronic circuits for detecting changes in coil impedance; a means for generating a signal which is indicative of the changes; and means for controlling the beverage production machine according to the signal. The machine also comprises a holder for supporting the package. The package for use in the machine comprises a base unit having a compartment which contains tea material, and a rim with a projecting lip; conductive material associated with the package having two edge sections situated on opposite sides of the compartment; and a lid attached to the base unit around the rim, the central portion of the lid comprising at least one perforated line. The invention also provides a method of recognising the package.