Beverage Capsule Base Code Layout for Reliable Contamination-Tolerant Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsules with codes for brewing machines face challenges in horizontal orientation due to contamination and limited information capacity, leading to reading errors and potential discard of edible capsules.
Innovation Solution
A beverage capsule with a two-dimensional code on its base, divided into regular imaginary code fields and groups, allowing for a homogeneous distribution of code elements, which enhances readability and integrity checking, reducing contamination issues and increasing information capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a code is applied to the lid or side wall of the capsule, then the code can be read by the brewing machine, but the code is exposed to contamination from beverage residues and splashes, leading to reading errors
Solution Approach 1:
The code is extracted from the contaminated areas (lid and side walls) and relocated to the base of the capsule, which remains clean during the brewing process. This separation removes the code from the harmful environment of beverage splashes and residues, ensuring accurate reading.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the code on the upper parts of the capsule (lid/side walls) as conventionally done, the code is inverted to the base, which is the opposite location. This inversion naturally protects the code from contamination since the base is not exposed to beverage splashes during brewing.
2Loss of information
If a barcode is used on the capsule, then the code can be read, but the amount and type of information that can be encoded is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The code transitions from a one-dimensional barcode to a two-dimensional structure with code elements arranged in a matrix pattern. This dimensional change dramatically increases the information capacity, allowing encoding of capsule ID, beverage type, brewing parameters, and batch information within the limited space on the capsule base.
Solution Approach 2:
The code is segmented into multiple code elements (e.g., 16 elements arranged in a 4x4 matrix) rather than a continuous barcode. Each element can represent multiple bits of information, and the segmented structure allows for error correction and more efficient use of the available space, increasing overall information capacity.
3Loss of information
If QR codes are used on capsules, then more information can be encoded, but the finder patterns required for reading are vulnerable to local dirt, making the entire code unreadable
Solution Approach 1:
Each code element in the matrix has a specific local structure (e.g., presence or absence of a sub-element) that encodes information independently. This local quality approach means that contamination of one element does not affect the readability of other elements, unlike QR codes where finder patterns are critical. The system can tolerate local dirt while maintaining overall code readability.
4Loss of substance
If the detection unit is placed close to the capsule exit to minimize beverage travel distance, then beverage quality is maintained, but there is insufficient space to accommodate the detection unit
Solution Approach 1:
The code reading action is performed preliminarily, before the beverage exits the capsule and before the brewing process begins. By reading the code on the base while the capsule is in the holder, the system obtains all necessary information in advance, eliminating the need to place the detection unit close to the beverage exit path.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a capsule (10) for beverage preparations in a brewing machine (20), said capsule comprising a capsule container (11) which is filled with an extraction product and has an essentially quadratic base (12), and a capsule cover (16) which closes the capsule container (11). Said capsule is characterized by at least one first optically readable code (50) on the base (12) of the capsule container (11), said code having a two-dimensional arrangement of several code elements (52, 53), the first code (50) being subdivided into a regular imaginary arrangement of code fields (61, 62, 63, 64) which are regrouped into at least pairs to form code groups (60), only one individual code field (61, 62, 63, 64) being provided within a code group (60) with a code element (52, 53). The invention also relates to a capsule (10) and to an associated system comprising a brewing machine (20) and to a method for identifying said type of capsule (10).