Coded Insert Control for Custom Beverage Cartridge Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines lack the ability to modify dispensation parameters of already encoded beverage cartridges, limiting user control over beverage type and preparation conditions such as volume, temperature, and flow rate.
Innovation Solution
A coded insert is introduced, which is separate from the cartridge and insertable into the brew head, containing a secondary code that provides alternative operating instructions to the machine for modifying the beverage dispensation parameters, allowing users to choose different beverage options without requiring a separate card reader or modifying the machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a beverage cartridge contains a primary code for delivering a beverage, then the machine can automatically control dispensation parameters, but the user cannot modify the dispensation parameters to create different beverage types
Solution Approach 1:
The information storage function is segmented between the cartridge (primary code) and the coded insert (secondary code). The coded insert is a separate, removable component that can be inserted into the brew head independently or with the cartridge, allowing users to switch between different beverage types without modifying the cartridge or machine structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coded insert acts as an intermediary between the user and the machine's code reading system. Instead of requiring users to modify cartridges or the machine itself, the coded insert serves as a mediator that temporarily overrides or supplements the primary code, enabling flexible beverage customization through a simple, low-cost component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the machine uses a barcode reader to read codes on cartridges, then automated control is achieved, but additional mechanisms like card readers would increase device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The existing barcode reader in the brew head is made multi-functional by allowing it to read both primary codes on cartridges and secondary codes on coded inserts. This eliminates the need for separate reading mechanisms while enabling both automated control and user-modified beverage options through the same hardware component.
3Ease of operation
If coded inserts are provided separately from cartridges, then users can control dispensation parameters, but the system requires an additional component that must be inserted into the brew head
Solution Approach 1:
The coded insert is designed to be inserted into the brew head either separately or together with the cartridge, merging two components into a single insertion action. This integration simplifies the user experience by allowing users to load both the cartridge and coded insert simultaneously, reducing the number of separate steps required to achieve beverage customization.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage preparation system is provided comprising a beverage preparation machine, a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients, and a coded insert. The beverage preparation machine comprises a brew head for receiving the cartridge. The cartridge comprises a primary code configured to provide operating instructions to the beverage preparation machine for delivering a beverage from the cartridge. The coded insert is separate from the cartridge and insertable along with the cartridge into the brew head. The coded insert comprises a secondary code configured to provide alternative operating instructions to the beverage preparation machine for delivering a modified beverage from the cartridge.