Image-Based Fill Level Detection for Beverage Preparation Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices lack an accurate and contactless method for determining the fill level of liquids, such as milk, in containers, leading to potential shortages and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an image acquisition device, like a camera with a wide-angle lens, to read image signals and determine fill level signals, allowing for the detection of liquid levels and vessel presence without additional sensors, enabling the beverage preparation device to calculate sufficient milk quantities and alert users when levels are low.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors are installed to detect fill level accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The image acquisition device is designed to serve multiple functions: it captures images for user interface display, monitors vessel presence, and determines liquid fill levels. By making the image acquisition device multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate sensors for each function, thereby improving measurement precision without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an optical copy (image) of the liquid surface to determine fill level. Instead of using a physical sensor that contacts or closely approaches the liquid, the system captures an optical image and processes it to extract fill level information. This copying approach enables accurate measurement without adding complex sensor hardware
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to detect both vessel presence and fill level, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image acquisition device is designed to serve multiple functions: it captures images for user interface display, monitors vessel presence, and determines liquid fill levels. By making the image acquisition device multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate sensors for each function, thereby improving measurement precision without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of vessel detection and fill level measurement into a single image acquisition process. By combining these functions that were previously performed by separate sensors into one unified system, the patent reduces component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining detection accuracy
3Ease of operation
If users manually monitor milk levels, then device complexity is reduced, but user convenience and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors the fill level of the milk container without requiring user intervention. The image acquisition device continuously or periodically captures images, and the control unit automatically processes these images to determine fill level and notifies the user when refilling is needed. This self-service approach improves user convenience by eliminating manual monitoring while using a relatively simple imaging-based system
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the fill level of a liquid in a vessel (145) for a beverage preparation device (100), wherein the beverage preparation device (100) has an image acquisition device (150). The method comprises a step of reading an image signal via an interface to the image acquisition device (150), wherein the image signal comprises an image of the vessel (145). Furthermore, the method comprises a step of determining a fill level signal using the image signal, wherein the fill level signal represents the fill level of the liquid in the vessel (145).