Beverage Machine Interface With Selection Preview for Variant Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage preparation machines are not user-friendly and struggle to display and manage a large number of beverage variants intuitively, leading to potential incorrect selections and operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A method and machine design that utilizes a graphic display with a selection mode showing multiple beverage variants, allowing users to select and preview their choices before confirming preparation, using a touch screen for intuitive operation and featuring modes like menu selection, quick selection, and component selection to simplify the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of beverage variants are displayed in the selection mode, then the versatility and variety of beverage options are improved, but the device complexity and user interface complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage variant varietyVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into two distinct regions: a selection region for browsing beverage variants and a preview region for reviewing the selected variant. This segmentation allows the interface to handle multiple beverage variants without overwhelming the user, as the preview region provides a focused summary of the current selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The preview region acts as an intermediary between the selection region and the confirmation action. It provides a buffer zone where users can review their selection details before finalizing, reducing the complexity of direct selection and confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If detailed information about each beverage variant is displayed, then the information completeness is improved, but the ease of operation and user friendliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiduser friendliness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the display provide different levels of information detail. The selection region provides a concise overview of beverage variants, while the preview region provides detailed information about the selected variant. This local differentiation of information quality allows users to access complete information when needed without cluttering the main selection interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the selection region is faded out after user selection, then the focus and clarity of the preview region is improved, but the ease of operation and ability to change selection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselection clarityVSAvoidselection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display dynamically adjusts its state based on user interaction. The selection region can be faded out to emphasize the preview region, but the system remains responsive to user input, allowing selection changes even when the selection region is faded. This dynamic behavior provides both focus and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If multiple beverage variants are displayed simultaneously in the selection region, then the productivity and speed of selection is improved, but the measurement precision and accuracy of selection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselection speedVSAvoidselection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The preview region provides immediate feedback about the selected beverage variant, allowing users to verify their selection accuracy before confirmation. This feedback mechanism compensates for the reduced precision that occurs when multiple variants are displayed simultaneously in the selection region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10226148B2Method for operating a beverage preparation machine, and beverage preparation machine for carrying out such a method

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 FRANKE KAFFEEMASCHEN AG

AI summary

A method for operating a beverage preparation machine, by which at least one coffee unit for dispensing coffee and an additive unit for dispensing a beverage additive is provided. A plurality of beverage variants are displayed by an at least partly graphical display in a selection mode, and the beverage preparation machine is controlled by a selection of a beverage variant, said selection being carried out by a user, such that the selected beverage variant is automatically prepared and dispensed from an outlet. The invention is characterized in that at least one selection region and a preview region are displayed in an at least partly graphical manner in the selection mode. A plurality of selectable beverage variants are displayed in an at least partly graphical manner in the selection region, and a current selection carried out by the user in the selection region is displayed in an at least partly graphical manner in the preview region. The beverage preparation machine is controlled when a starting element is actuated by the user such that the beverage variant displayed in the selection region is automatically prepared and dispensed from the outlet. The selection region and the preview region are displayed simultaneously in at least one first operating mode of the beverage preparation machine.