QR-Paired Touchless Dispensing With Secure Code Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices require users to touch external surfaces, potentially leading to contamination and germ transmission, and existing touchless solutions are cumbersome and unreliable due to the need for wireless communication setup and button initiation.
Innovation Solution
A network-controlled dispensing device with a scannable device identifier, such as a QR code, that establishes cloud-based pairing with a mobile device, allowing touchless operation by scanning the code, selecting options on the mobile device, and verifying a dispense code to initiate product dispensing without direct surface contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users touch external surfaces of the dispensing device to make selections and initiate dispensing, then the device is easy to operate, but contamination and germ transmission occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the dispensing device. The mobile device communicates with the dispensing device via QR code scanning and cloud-based pairing, allowing users to control the dispensing device without physically touching its surfaces. This mediator approach eliminates direct contact while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical touch-based control system with an optical and network-based system. Instead of touching buttons or touchscreens, users scan QR codes with their mobile devices and send control commands through cloud communication. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact with the dispensing device surfaces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wireless communication is used to control the dispensing device without touching it, then contamination is reduced, but the system becomes complex and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device autonomously generates QR codes and establishes cloud-based connections without requiring users to configure wireless settings or download specialized applications. The device self-services the pairing process by providing scannable identifiers and handling cloud communication protocols, simplifying the user experience while maintaining touchless operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes universal QR code technology and standard cloud communication protocols that work across different mobile devices and operating systems. This universal approach eliminates the need for device-specific wireless setup procedures or proprietary software, reducing complexity while enabling reliable touchless control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing touchless devices require downloading special phone apps and establishing wireless communications, then touchless operation is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device pre-generates and displays QR codes that encode all necessary connection information. When users scan these pre-prepared codes with their mobile devices, the cloud-based pairing is automatically established without requiring users to perform any preliminary setup actions, download applications, or configure wireless settings. This preliminary preparation of connection data eliminates time-consuming setup steps.
4Ease of operation
If existing devices require touching a button to initiate dispensing, then the dispensing process is simple, but contamination risk remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing action with a digital code verification process. After users select their desired product through the mobile device interface, the system electronically transmits the dispensing command without requiring physical contact with the dispensing device. This substitution maintains the simplicity of the dispensing initiation while eliminating contamination risk from surface contact.
Data Source
AI summary
A network-controlled dispensing device is provided. The dispensing device may include a display, a scannable device identifier (e.g., QR code, RFID tag, etc.) that uniquely identifies the dispensing device to a scanning device, and a network device to establish communications with a server based, at least in part, on the scannable device identifier. The dispenser includes a controller to control dispensing of a product based on one or more product selections received from the server. The controller generates a dispense code in response to receiving one or more product selections from the server and presents the dispense code on the display. If the code received from the server matches the dispense code, the controller dispenses a product based on the one or more product selections received from the server.