Cup Dispenser Fill-Level Sensing for Timely Refill Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cup dispensers are difficult to monitor for remaining cup levels due to opaque materials or integration within walls, leading to potential empty states without timely refill alerts.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system is integrated into the cup dispenser to measure the distance to the last cup and transmit data to a computing system, which calculates the fill level and compares it to adjustable thresholds, generating alerts on user devices when the fill level falls below a specified threshold, adjusting for demand variations and sharing thresholds with similar locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cup dispenser body is made from opaque material and integrated into walls, then the dispenser structure is improved for durability and aesthetic purposes, but the ability to visually inspect the fill level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor acts as an intermediary between the opaque dispenser interior and the external monitoring system. The sensor measures the distance to the top cup through the opaque wall, converting physical cup level information into detectable signals without requiring visual transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces visual inspection (optical/mechanical observation) with an electronic sensing system. The distance sensor substitutes for human eyes, using electromagnetic fields to detect cup position through the opaque dispenser body.
2Device complexity
If manual monitoring of cup levels is used, then the system complexity is minimized, but the likelihood of reaching empty state increases due to delayed detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by constantly measuring the distance to the top cup and comparing it against threshold values. This automated feedback loop ensures timely detection of low cup levels and triggers refill alerts, preventing empty states while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser system performs self-monitoring through the integrated sensor, eliminating the need for manual inspection. The system automatically detects its own fill level and generates alerts, enabling it to serve itself in monitoring its status.
3Device complexity
If refill alerts are generated at a fixed threshold, then the alert generation rule is simple, but it may generate unnecessary alerts during low-demand periods or fail to alert during high-demand periods
Solution Approach 1:
The alert threshold transitions from a static fixed value to a dynamic value that adjusts based on measured demand patterns. The system learns from historical data and modifies thresholds in real-time, allowing it to adapt to varying demand conditions while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of alert threshold from a constant value to a variable that responds to demand conditions. By modifying this critical parameter based on observed usage patterns, the system achieves adaptability without significantly increasing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents cup dispensers from reaching empty states by providing timely refill alerts, conserving computational resources, and optimizing alert generation based on demand patterns and location data.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is coupled to the plunger and is configured to measure a distance from the plunger to a second end of the body
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing a measure of a number of cups housed within a cup dispenser includes a sensor and a computing system. The cup dispenser includes a body configured to house a stack of cups, and a plunger configured to engage a first cup of the stack of cups and to bias the stack of cups toward a discharge opening defined by a first end of the body. The sensor is coupled to the plunger and is configured to measure a distance from the plunger to a second end of the body, and to transmit the measured distance across a network. The computing system receives the measured distance from the network, and determines, based on the measured distance, the measure of the number of cups housed within the cup dispenser. In response to determining that the number of cups is less than the threshold, the system transmits an alert.