Systems and methods of multi-touch concurrent dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage dispensing machines with touch-sensitive displays struggle to handle multiple concurrent user inputs, often requiring separate interfaces and facing challenges in interpreting 'touch and hold' inputs amidst simultaneous multi-touch events.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispenser with a touch-sensitive graphical display that receives and interprets multiple touch inputs simultaneously, using a computer to identify icons, GUI sections, and gesture inputs, and controls dispensing systems via control signals to manage concurrent dispensing of beverages from multiple nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single touch-sensitive display is used for beverage dispensing, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle multiple concurrent user inputs is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The touch-sensitive display interface is segmented into multiple independent dispensing arrangements, each capable of being individually controlled. The system divides the user interface into distinct operational zones that can be independently activated, allowing multiple users to interact with different segments simultaneously without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
A single touch-sensitive display is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting concurrent touch inputs from multiple users. The display universally handles various touch gestures (tap, hold, drag) from multiple users simultaneously, making one device capable of serving multiple dispensing arrangements at the same time.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional touch-sensitive displays are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but the ability to interpret multiple concurrent touch inputs is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its interpretation of touch inputs based on the current state of the display and the pattern of touches received. The controller continuously monitors touch events and dynamically determines whether to interpret them as independent inputs or as multi-touch gestures, adapting its behavior in real-time to handle various user interaction scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to distinguish between concurrent independent inputs and multi-touch gestures. By analyzing the timing, position, and duration of touch events, the system provides feedback to determine the user's intent, allowing it to correctly interpret complex multi-touch scenarios while maintaining compatibility with standard touch-sensitive display hardware.
3Ease of operation
If multi-touch displays interpret all touches as gestures, then gesture functionality is improved, but the ability to detect independent touch inputs is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The touch input interpretation is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously evaluates incoming touch events and adjusts its interpretation strategy based on the current context, allowing it to switch between gesture recognition and independent input detection modes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from touch event analysis to determine the appropriate interpretation mode. By monitoring touch patterns, timing, and spatial relationships, the system provides feedback to distinguish whether users intend to perform gestures or select independent inputs, ensuring accurate interpretation of user intent.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate user interfaces are used for each dispensing arrangement, then concurrent user handling is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple dispensing arrangements are merged into a single integrated touch-sensitive display interface. The system combines what would traditionally require separate physical interfaces into one unified display, allowing multiple users to access different dispensing arrangements simultaneously through the same interface.
Solution Approach 2:
A single user interface is designed to universally serve multiple dispensing arrangements and multiple users concurrently. The interface performs multiple functions by responding to different touch inputs from different users directed at different dispensing arrangements, eliminating the need for separate dedicated interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method for beverage dispense from a plurality of users include a beverage dispenser with a touch-sensitive graphical display. A computer of the beverage dispenser receives touch event data points and identifies one or more GUI sections of a plurality of GUI sections associated with the received touch event data points. The computer further operates to interpret a touch event input and provide a command responsive to the input to an associated dispensing unit.