Operator system for a machine for processing beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile operating systems for beverage processing machines are ergonomically unfeasible and lack adequate occupational safety, as they require users to manage devices with one hand and may overlook critical alarms or warnings, and traditional access authorization systems are insecure and costly.
Innovation Solution
An integrated operating system featuring safety goggles with a display system, a signal generator, and a data transmitter that allows hands-free operation, provides visual and auditory alerts independently of the display, and uses biometric recognition for secure access, enabling users to monitor and control multiple machines while ensuring eye protection and secure access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile operating device is carried on the body or in pockets, then the user can operate machines while moving between them, but the device is not constantly visible and requires the user to take it in hand to read the display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the display from a handheld 2D surface to a head-mounted spatial interface that overlays information in the user's field of view. This dimensional change allows the display to be both mobile (worn on the body) and constantly visible (projected in front of the eyes), resolving the contradiction between mobility and visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (head-mounted display optics) that mediates between the user's eyes and the display information. This intermediary projects virtual images into the user's field of view, allowing information to be visible without requiring the user to physically hold or closely examine the device.
2Ease of operation
If the user takes the operating device in one hand to read the display, then the display becomes visible, but the user no longer has this hand free to carry out operating processes
Solution Approach 1:
The head-mounted display system provides information directly to the user's visual field without requiring manual interaction to position or hold the display. The system serves itself by projecting information into the user's natural field of view, eliminating the need to use a hand to hold the device while maintaining visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
By moving the display from handheld space to head-mounted spatial projection, the system frees the hands while maintaining visual access to information. The display exists in a different dimensional space (optical field rather than manual grip), resolving the contradiction between visibility and hands-free operation.
3Ease of operation
If the user looks at the display of the control unit to read information, then the information becomes visible, but the user has to keep looking away from the part of the machine to be operated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display field with the machine work field by projecting virtual information directly into the user's field of view of the machine. This merging allows the user to see both the machine and the information simultaneously without switching attention, eliminating the time loss from back-and-forth looking.
Solution Approach 2:
The display information is projected into the user's field of view in a different dimensional layer (virtual overlay) rather than requiring physical separation between the user, display, and machine. This allows simultaneous viewing of machine and information without attention switching.
4Ease of operation
If augmented reality systems use only optical signals for information display, then the user can see information, but the signals can easily be overlooked when the user is concentrating on a specific task
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alert system into multiple independent channels: visual display, acoustic signals, and vibration signals. This segmentation ensures that if one channel is overlooked (e.g., visual signals during concentrated work), the other channels can still convey the alarm or warning, improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides multi-modal feedback (visual, acoustic, tactile) to confirm that alarm signals have been generated and are being conveyed to the user. This feedback mechanism ensures that critical alerts are not overlooked even when the user is concentrating on other tasks.
5Adaptability or versatility
If traditional access authorization systems use tokens that users carry, then access rights can be granted, but the tokens can be misused if lost and require expensive readers on each machine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical token-reader system with a biometric recognition system. Instead of using physical tokens that can be lost or stolen, the system uses biological characteristics (fingerprint, iris, facial recognition) that are unique to each user and cannot be replicated, thereby improving security and eliminating the need for expensive readers on each machine.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an operator system for a machine, in particular for a beverage processing machine, said system comprising a mobile operator device for the machine, a signal emitter for reporting alarm and/or warning signals and safety glasses for protecting the eyes of a user. The safety glasses have a display system that is designed in particular as a head-mounted display, or a virtual retina display, or a projector and the operator device and/or the signal emitter and/or the safety glasses have a respective data transmitter for exchanging machine information and/or alarm and/or warning signals.