Sample Randomizer with Rotating Table for Independent Blind Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals are unable to conduct blind tastings of their own sample collections without external assistance, limiting their ability to obtain training and certification in sommelier education or personal hobby development.
Innovation Solution
A sample randomizer device with a rotatable table and cover that randomizes sample containers, allowing users to load samples in a known order and dispense them in a randomized manner, while tracking the association between sample containers and their sources using a memory system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a person performs blind tasting of their own sample collection without external assistance, then independence and convenience are improved, but the ability to randomize and track samples reliably deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the user to perform blind tasting independently by integrating both randomization and tracking functions into a single device that the user operates alone. The microcontroller automatically handles sample randomization and tracks sample positions, eliminating the need for external assistance while maintaining reliability through automated electronic control rather than manual processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical randomization methods with an electronic control system using a microcontroller that randomly selects sample positions and controls the rotatable table's movement. This substitution ensures reliable and unbiased randomization while automatically tracking sample locations through electronic memory, preventing the reliability issues associated with manual tracking.
2Productivity
If multiple sample containers are loaded and stored simultaneously, then efficiency is improved, but the ability to maintain blind testing conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sample storage into multiple discrete positions on the rotatable table, with each position independently controllable. The cover with its opening allows only one sample position to be accessed at a time, segmenting the viewing access while maintaining efficient multi-sample storage. This segmentation preserves blind testing conditions by preventing visual identification of multiple samples simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover acts as an intermediary between the user and the samples. It allows multiple samples to be loaded and stored efficiently on the rotatable table while blocking visual access to sample identities. The cover's opening, controlled by the microcontroller, mediates access to individual samples without revealing information about other samples, thus maintaining blind testing conditions.
3Measurement precision
If the table position for each sample container is randomly selected and the table is rotated, then randomization quality is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable table serves multiple functions: it stores multiple samples in different positions, randomly selects and presents samples to the user, and automatically tracks sample locations. The single rotatable mechanism performs randomization, sample presentation, and position tracking simultaneously, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high randomization quality through microcontroller control.
4Measurement precision
If sample containers are dispensed in randomized order, then blind testing accuracy is improved, but the complexity of tracking and recording samples deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller provides feedback by automatically tracking which sample is in which position on the rotatable table and recording the dispensing order. This electronic feedback system maintains blind testing accuracy by ensuring the user cannot visually identify samples while simultaneously managing the complexity of tracking randomized sample positions and dispensing sequences through automated memory storage.
Data Source
AI summary
A sample randomizer allows a user to have a set of samples from a corresponding set of sources to be physically randomized so that the user does not know which sample came from which source. The sample randomizer keeps track of the samples so that the source of each sample can be revealed after testing the samples. A covered rotating table is used to physically randomize the samples. Each sample is individually loaded into the table in a given sample position. The other sample positions are obscured from view so that the user cannot see if there is a sample in the adjacent sample positions. The order of the sample and their corresponding sources are tracked, and the samples are dispensed from the table in a random order that is also tracked. The user can then test the samples, placing them in ranking positions of a ranking station of the device. When the user is done testing the samples, the sample randomizer can then indicate the source of each sample at each ranking position.