Method for configuring a coffee machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee machines require manual user input for selecting filling amounts, which is inconvenient, or employ complex and expensive sensor systems to determine container sizes, making them user-unfriendly and costly.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine configuration method using a remote control device, such as a smartphone with controlling software, generates and transmits data on container geometry to calculate the required coffee product amount, eliminating the need for manual input and sensor systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual user input is used for selecting filling amounts, then the coffee machine can be operated without complex sensors, but the user experience becomes inconvenient and user-unfriendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote control device (smartphone with camera) as an intermediary between the user and the coffee machine. The camera captures images of the container, and the system automatically determines container volume and calculates filling amounts, eliminating the need for manual input while maintaining simplicity in the coffee machine itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting container characteristics through image processing and calculating the appropriate filling amount without requiring user intervention. The coffee machine receives the calculated amount from the remote control device and executes the filling automatically.
2Ease of operation
If sensor systems are provided to determine container sizes automatically, then user convenience is improved, but the device becomes technically complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex physical sensors in the coffee machine, the patent creates a digital copy (image) of the container using a camera in the remote control device. This image is then processed to extract container characteristics and calculate volume, replacing expensive sensor hardware with software-based image analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical sensor system with an electronic image processing system. The camera-based approach uses software algorithms to analyze container geometry and calculate volume, substituting complex hardware sensing mechanisms with more affordable and flexible digital processing.
3Measurement precision
If sensor systems are used to determine filling volume, then accurate filling can be achieved, but the cost of the coffee machine increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital representation (image) of the container and processes it to extract geometric information. This digital copy allows for accurate volume calculation without requiring expensive physical measurement sensors, achieving precision through software-based image analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach from direct physical measurement to indirect digital measurement. By capturing images and extracting geometric parameters through image processing, the system achieves accurate volume determination while avoiding the cost of specialized sensors.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for configuring a coffee machine (1). According to the method, data is generated by means of a remote control device (2) for remotely controlling the coffee machine (1) and transmitted to the coffee machine (1), which in turn is taken into account by the coffee machine (1) when filling a container (6) with a coffee product prepared by the coffee machine (1). In this way, the filling process of the container (6) with the coffee product can be optimized.