Beverage Server ID-Based Recipe Matching to Prevent Brewing Errors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Programmable brewers often face issues where selected brewing parameters do not match the beverage server, leading to potential flavor contamination and user errors due to mismatched volumes and flavor profiles.

Innovation Solution

A brewing system where the beverage server dictates the recipe selection, allowing the brewer to automatically adjust based on the server's previous brew, with the ability to store and display recipe information, preventing cross-contamination and simplifying the brewing process by ensuring correct recipe usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the brewer is programmed with selectable brewing parameters and recipes, then the brewing process becomes more versatile and adaptable to different preferences, but user errors occur when selected parameters do not match the beverage server characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrewing parameter selectionVSAvoidparameter matching accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system reads the server's ID from a magnetic stripe or RFID tag when the server is placed on the brewer, automatically retrieves the corresponding recipe information, and displays it for user confirmation. This feedback loop ensures the selected parameters match the server characteristics, preventing user errors while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The beverage server contains its own identification information (ID, capacity, flavor profile) that automatically identifies itself to the brewer system. This self-service approach eliminates manual matching errors, as the server effectively communicates its own specifications to the control system for automatic recipe selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the brewer allows manual recipe selection, then users can customize brewing parameters, but flavor cross-contamination occurs when the beverage server retains residual flavor from previous brewing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual recipe selectionVSAvoidflavor cross-contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system reads the server's flavor profile information from its ID and automatically retrieves matching recipe information that is compatible with the server's current state. This feedback mechanism prevents flavor cross-contamination by ensuring the selected recipe matches the server's flavor characteristics while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-stores recipe information associated with specific server IDs in the database. Before brewing, the system automatically retrieves the appropriate pre-matched recipe based on the server's ID, preventing flavor contamination issues before they occur while keeping the interface simple for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If the system stores recipe information in a database associated with server ID, then automatic recipe retrieval is enabled, but device complexity increases due to additional storage and communication requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic recipe retrievalVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a magnetic stripe or RFID tag on the server to store and transmit identification information. This copying mechanism allows the server to carry its ID information without adding complex electronic storage systems to the server itself, enabling automatic recipe retrieval while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic stripe or RFID tag acts as an intermediary that stores server identification information. This intermediary enables communication between the server and brewer control system without requiring complex direct integration, simplifying the overall system structure while enabling automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If the beverage server contains magnetic stripe or RFID tag for identification, then automatic server identification is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserver identification accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system offers multiple identification methods (magnetic stripe vs. RFID tag) with different complexity and cost characteristics. This parameter change approach allows selection based on specific application requirements, balancing identification accuracy with manufacturing cost considerations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12004680B2Server system with communication

Publication Date: 2024.06.11 BUNN COMMERCIAL LP

AI summary

A beverage brewing system with a beverage server and a brewer. The beverage server includes an information device to store a beverage recipe. The brewer includes a communication device to wirelessly read the recipe from the beverage server. During the brewing process, the brewer reads the recipe from the beverage server and sends control signals to create a brewed beverage according to the beverage recipe.