Method and system for controlling a coffee preparation system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee preparation systems face challenges in accurately recommending or optimizing grind and brew settings based on the type of coffee beans used, often requiring manual user input or machine-readable tags that may not be universally applicable.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilizes consumer labeling on coffee beans to automatically control brewing and grinding parameters through image processing, generating signals to adjust settings based on the identified information on the labeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual user input is required for bean information, then the system can obtain coffee bean characteristics, but the process is prone to errors and users may not understand what information to enter
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically captures and processes information from the coffee bean packaging label using an image sensor and processing system. The label itself serves as the information source, eliminating the need for manual user input while maintaining high accuracy of bean characteristics data.
2Extent of automation
If machine-readable tags or codes are used on coffee bean packages, then automated detection is possible, but this requires cooperation from bean suppliers to provide such tags
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses consumer labeling that already exists on coffee bean packages for multiple purposes: it provides both aesthetic/consumer information functions and automated detection functions. The processing system is designed to recognize various label formats and styles, making it compatible with different bean products from various suppliers without requiring special tags.
3Extent of automation
If the system processes image data from consumer labeling to identify text and pictorial representations, then automated control of brewing and grinding parameters is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The consumer label acts as an intermediary that carries encoded information about coffee bean characteristics. The processing system decodes this information and translates it into control signals for the brewing and grinding assemblies, automating the control process while managing complexity through this intermediate information carrier.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a processing system (5) for controlling a coffee preparation system (1) based on consumer labelling of a coffee beans-comprising product. The consumer labelling includes text and/or pictorial representation(s) that visually convey(s) to consumers information relevant to coffee beans included in the product. The processing system is configured to receive image data obtained by capturing image(s) of the consumer labelling, and to process the image data to identify the text and/or pictorial representation(s). The processing system generates, based on the text and/or pictorial representation(s) identified by the processing of the image data, at least one output signal for controlling the coffee preparation system. Also provided is a coffee preparation assembly comprising the processing system and the coffee preparation system. Further provided is a method and related computer program for controlling such a coffee preparation system.