Drinks Disc Barcode Reading During Brewing Chamber Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices face challenges in reliably evaluating one- or multi-dimensional patterns on beverage discs due to optical issues like reflections and glare, requiring complex equipment and processes to capture high-quality images.
Innovation Solution
Activating the reading device before the brewing chamber closes and utilizing the movement of the pattern during closure to capture images from different perspectives, allowing for varied lighting conditions and angles, which can eliminate glare and reflections, and enabling the recording and evaluation of images before the preparation process starts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple images are captured from different illumination angles to overcome reflections and glare, then image evaluation reliability is improved, but device complexity and equipment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing chamber transitions from an open to a closed state, dynamically changing the spatial relationship between the beverage disc and reading device. This movement naturally creates varying illumination angles and distances without requiring additional mechanical components for image capture, thus improving reliability while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing chamber's closing movement itself serves the dual purpose of securing the beverage disc and providing varied perspectives for image capture. The system uses its own operational movement to generate multiple images with different optical characteristics, eliminating the need for separate imaging mechanisms
2Loss of time
If the reading device is activated earlier to capture images during chamber closure, then time to obtain control information is reduced, but image quality may be compromised due to movement
Solution Approach 1:
The reading device is activated in advance during the chamber closing process, capturing images before the beverage disc reaches its final position. This preliminary image capture occurs while the disc is still moving, allowing time for potential re-capture if needed, while significantly reducing the overall time to obtain control information
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures images under varying parameters (illumination angle, distance, perspective) as the chamber closes, rather than requiring perfect static conditions. This approach accepts parameter variation during movement to achieve both speed and adequate image quality
3Adaptability or versatility
If images are captured during chamber closure with varying distances and angles, then different optical characteristics are obtained to overcome glare, but the detection system must handle variable conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a single static detection point to multiple detection positions along the chamber closing path. By utilizing the temporal and spatial dimension of chamber movement, the system captures images from various distances and angles, creating dimensional diversity in detection conditions without adding complex multi-axis detection mechanisms
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
This method ensures reliable pattern evaluation with reduced technical complexity, shortening the time to obtain control information and increasing the probability of obtaining usable images, while also allowing for the superimposition of images to achieve full recognition, thus enabling earlier operation of the preparation device.
Implementation Method 1
Reflections from the illumination of the reader or from unfavorable ambient light can cause the reader to be dazzled
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method of a reading device in a drinks preparation apparatus for recording an image of a one-dimensional or multidimensional pattern (32) on a drinks or service disc (12) which is inserted into an open brewing chamber of the apparatus and, before the start of the preparation or service operation, is changed from a loading position to a closure position via intermediate positions in a closing operation of the brewing chamber. It is developed by virtue of the fact that the reading apparatus is activated before the brewing chamber is closed, with the result that at least one image (54) of the pattern (32) is recorded before the closure position is reached. The invention also relates to a reading device for carrying out the method.