Food Dispensing Apparatus External Authorization via Mobile Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing apparatuses for food products, such as vending machines and coffee makers, require expensive recognition devices to ensure that only authorized supplies are used, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a dispensing apparatus, a mobile communication device, and an authorization server that uses a supply identifier to authenticate and authorize the use of supplies, allowing the apparatus to function without the need for internal recognition devices, relying on external authorization messages to manage supply usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a recognition device is installed in the dispensing apparatus to verify authorized supplies, then the reliability of supply authorization is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile communication device as an intermediary between the supply package and the dispensing apparatus. The mobile device reads the machine-readable tag on the supply package and communicates with the dispensing apparatus via wireless communication, eliminating the need for expensive recognition devices in the dispensing apparatus itself while maintaining reliable authorization verification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic recognition device system with a wireless communication system. Instead of using physical recognition devices that require direct contact or proximity reading, the system uses wireless communication between the mobile device and the dispensing apparatus, simplifying the hardware requirements and reducing costs
2Reliability
If an expensive recognition device is used to verify authorized supplies, then the reliability of supply authorization is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile communication device serves as an intermediary that performs the authorization verification function externally, allowing the dispensing apparatus to be manufactured without expensive recognition devices. This separates the verification function from the dispensing apparatus manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses machine-readable tags (such as RFID tags or barcodes) as information copies of the supply authorization data. Instead of requiring complex physical verification mechanisms, the system reads and processes digital information copies from the supply package, significantly reducing manufacturing costs
3Reliability
If a technological measure reader is installed in the equipment to read information from technological measures, then the reliability of authorized usage control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile communication device acts as an intermediary that performs the reading of machine-readable tags and the communication of authorization information. This eliminates the need for the dispensing apparatus to contain a technological measure reader, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable usage control
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communication device, which the user already possesses and operates, performs the authorization verification function. The system leverages the user's existing device to provide the verification service, eliminating the need for specialized hardware in the dispensing apparatus
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A dispensing apparatus (200) for dispensing a food product, the dispensing apparatus comprising a receptacle (210) for receiving a supply (510), a dispensing unit (220) configured to dispend portions of the food product, dispensing a portion of the food product consuming an amount of the supply, an electronic counting unit (232) configured to represent an amount of authorized supply, the counting unit is configured to decrease the amount of authorized supply when the dispensing unit dispenses a portion of the food product, the dispensing unit being configured to block dispensing of the food product if the amount of authorized supply is below a minimum authorized supply amount, a communication unit (240) configured to receive a digital authorization message from an authorization server (400) through mobile communication device (300), the authorization server being external to the dispensing apparatus, and a dispensing authorization unit (230) configured to obtain from the authorization message a supply authorization amount, and to increase the amount of authorized supply represented by the counting unit with the supply authorization amount.