Electronic coaster for identifying a beverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies do not efficiently allow users to order beverages without frequent interaction with attendants, as existing systems are complex and may not accurately identify consumed beverages, leading to inefficient service and potential miscommunication.
Innovation Solution
An electronic coaster equipped with imaging sensors and a computing unit that captures and analyzes the spectral signature of beverages to identify their type, allowing for timely and accurate ordering through comparison with predefined signatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user interface associated with a table is used to place orders, then ordering capability is provided, but the user must constantly interact with the interface which is annoying and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage holder enables automatic beverage identification and ordering without user intervention. The imaging sensor captures images of the beverage, the computing unit identifies it through spectral analysis, and the system automatically transmits ordering information to the server, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring constant user interaction with an interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of the beverage type using spectral analysis before the user needs to place an order. By pre-identifying the beverage and preparing the ordering information in advance, the system eliminates the need for users to manually input order details when ready to order.
2Measurement precision
If traditional imaging is used without spectral analysis, then device complexity is reduced, but beverage identification accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual beverage identification methods with automated spectral analysis using imaging sensors and computing units. The imaging sensor captures spectral information from the beverage, and the computing unit processes this data to identify beverage type, substituting human judgment with automated optical analysis for higher accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system analyzes multiple spectral parameters (different wavelengths of light reflected from the beverage) to identify beverage type. By examining changes in spectral characteristics across different wavelengths, the system achieves accurate beverage identification that cannot be obtained through simple visual inspection or basic imaging alone.
3Measurement precision
If ambient light is not considered, then processing is simpler, but spectral signature accuracy deteriorates due to ambient interference
Solution Approach 1:
The computing unit acts as an intermediary that processes and compensates for ambient light effects on the spectral data. It receives the raw spectral information from the imaging sensor, applies algorithms to remove ambient light interference, and extracts the pure beverage spectral signature, thereby isolating the beverage's true spectral characteristics from environmental influences.
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
Enables efficient and accurate identification of beverages, reducing the need for frequent user interaction with attendants and ensuring timely service by transmitting the identified beverage type to relevant personnel.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic coaster analyses spectral signature of the beverage and identifies the beverage type based on the performed analysis
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an electronic coaster, comprising at least one first imaging sensor to capture at least one first image of a beverage present in a beverage holder placed on the electronic coaster, at least one second imaging sensor to capture at least one second image of ambience around the electronic coaster and a computing unit to receive the at least one first image and the at least one second image, process spectrum of the at least one first and second image for obtaining spectral signature of the beverage and compare the spectral signature of the beverage with predefined spectral signature of plurality of beverages to identify type of the beverage.