Programmable Beverage Capsule Memory for Automatic Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beverage preparation machines require significant user intervention for capsule insertion and brewing, lack customization options, and do not provide optimal preparation conditions, compromising convenience, safety, and hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A capsule with a memory storage and communication interface that allows users to program and store preferences, enabling semi-automatic or automatic brewing modes, reducing user interaction and enhancing customization, while a beverage preparation machine reads these parameters to adjust brewing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a capsule with memory storage and communication interface is used, then customization and automation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the capsule contains the memory storage and communication interface, while the beverage preparation machine contains the reader and control logic. This segmentation allows the capsule to be a simple, replaceable unit with embedded intelligence, while the machine provides the processing power and user interface, thereby achieving customization without permanently increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule with embedded memory and communication interface autonomously stores and transmits user preferences and beverage parameters without requiring external programming devices or complex machine-side storage. The capsule serves itself by containing all necessary data, eliminating the need for the machine to maintain complex databases or programming interfaces for each beverage type.
2Ease of operation
If manual activation of movable drawer or start button is required, then user control is maintained, but user intervention and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system with capsule-based storage and machine reader enables semi-automatic or automatic brewing modes where the machine can autonomously retrieve beverage parameters from the capsule and execute the preparation process without requiring the user to manually activate drawers or press start buttons, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining user control through capsule selection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If user-defined parameters are stored in the machine, then customization is enabled, but device complexity and user contact increase
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the storage function from the machine to the capsule, the system segments the customization capability into a portable, replaceable unit. Each capsule independently contains its own parameter set, eliminating the need for the machine to maintain complex programming structures or user profiles, thereby reducing programming complexity while preserving full customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule acts as an intermediary carrier between the user and the machine, holding all customization parameters and transmitting them to the machine via its communication interface. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for direct user-machine programming interactions, reducing both programming complexity and user contact with the machine.
4Extent of automation
If RFID or similar communication interface is integrated in the capsule, then automation and hygiene are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID or similar communication interface is integrated into the capsule as a separate, self-contained module rather than being built into the machine. This segmentation allows the communication functionality to be manufactured and tested independently as a standard component, then simply integrated into the capsule during capsule production, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity while enabling automation.
Data Source
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Figure 3a
Figure 3b~3c
AI summary
The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines, and more particularly to a capsule adapted for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device comprising: - a storage having a memory space for storing information related to preferences of a user of the beverage producing device; - a first communication interface configured to: o write in the memory space the information related to the preferences of the user, received on the first communication interface; and, o allow the reading of the information stored in the memory space.