Container and code of system for preparing a beverage or foodstuff

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage and foodstuff preparation machines require complex processing to read codes on containers due to large start and stop sequences, which are aesthetically displeasing, occupy space, and cannot be adapted for different encoding densities, making them costly and prone to errors, especially when soiled.

Innovation Solution

A container with a simplified code system featuring a data sequence and a distinct locator marker, allowing for easier decoding without complex processing, adaptable in size, and resistant to contamination, using marker locations with varying read distances to encode preparation information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a code with start and stop sequences is used to encode preparation information on the container, then the code can be located and decoded, but the processing complexity increases and the code occupies more space on the container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode reading reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the locator marker as a separate, distinct element from the data sequence. The locator marker is positioned at a known location (e.g., at the beginning of the data sequence) and has a different structure (different number of segments) than the data markers. This separation allows the reading device to easily identify the start of the data sequence without requiring complex processing of start and stop sequences throughout the entire code.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using start and stop sequences that are identical to or similar to the data sequence (requiring pattern matching and complex processing), the patent inverts the approach by using a locator marker with a distinctly different structure. The locator marker has a predetermined number of segments that differs from the variable number of segments in the data sequence, making it immediately recognizable and eliminating the need for complex pattern matching algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If start and stop sequences are included in the code, then the code can be properly located and decoded, but the code occupies more space on the container which is aesthetically displeasing and reduces advertising space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode location accuracyVSAvoidcode area on container

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring full start and stop sequences at both ends of the data sequence, the patent uses a partial approach with a single locator marker at the beginning. The locator marker provides sufficient information for code location and orientation without the need for redundant stop sequences, thereby minimizing the code area while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of manufacture

If the code size is fixed by predetermined bar positions and sizes, then the code structure is simple, but the code cannot be adapted for different encoding densities or container geometries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode structure simplicityVSAvoidencoding density adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the number of segments in the data sequence variable rather than fixed. The data sequence consists of a variable number of segments that can be adjusted based on the amount of preparation information that needs to be encoded and the container geometry. The locator marker maintains a fixed, predetermined number of segments to provide structural simplicity and easy identification, while the data sequence adapts its length to meet different encoding requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the code into two distinct parts: a locator marker with a fixed number of segments and a data sequence with a variable number of segments. This segmentation allows the locator marker to provide stable, simple structure for easy identification, while the data sequence can be dynamically adjusted in length to accommodate different encoding densities and container geometries without affecting the overall code structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If complex processing is used to decode the data sequence, then the preparation information can be accurately extracted, but the processing is costly and prone to errors especially when soiled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation extraction accuracyVSAvoiddecoding processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing the locator marker before the data sequence. The locator marker serves as a preliminary indicator that tells the reading device where the data sequence begins and how to interpret the subsequent segments. This preliminary information simplifies the decoding process by eliminating the need for complex pattern matching and error correction algorithms, making the system more robust to soiling and contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical processing (pattern matching, start/stop sequence detection) with a simpler system based on the structural distinction between the locator marker and data sequence. The reading device can use the predetermined structure of the locator marker to automatically identify the code start and orientation, then simply read the variable number of data segments without requiring complex processing algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10433670B2Container and code of system for preparing a beverage or foodstuff

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

A container for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and comprising a code encoding preparation information, the code comprising: a data sequence having a plurality of marker locations, whereby said marker locations either comprise or do not comprise a marker as a variable to at least partially encode the preparation information therein, with adjacent marker locations separated by a distance of Δx; at least one locator marker to enable location of the data sequence of the code, the locator marker having a read distance X2, which is distinct from a read distance X1 of the data markers to enable a locator marker to be identified.