Simple user-interface for a beverage machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines often require complex user-interfaces with multiple buttons and selectors to control various functions, which can increase production costs and maintenance needs while complicating user operation.
Innovation Solution
A simplified user-interface arrangement that uses a single sensing arrangement, such as a push button, to control all user-requestable processes through different control programs executed based on the machine's state and user actuation patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons and selectors are provided to control various functions, then the machine can perform more functions, but the user-interface complexity increases and production costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
A single push-button is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting different actuation patterns (single press, double press, long press, holding) and machine states (heating, ready, dispensing). The control unit interprets these patterns to execute different control programs, allowing one component to replace multiple buttons and selectors while maintaining full functional control over the beverage preparation machine.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons and selectors are provided, then more functions can be controlled, but production costs and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal push-button interface that controls all machine functions through programmed response to different actuation patterns. This eliminates the need to manufacture multiple separate buttons, selectors, and associated circuitry, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining full functional control over heating, dispensing, and machine state management.
3Device complexity
If a single sensing arrangement is used, then the interface is simpler and costs are lower, but controlling multiple functions becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The single push-button transforms from a static control element to a dynamic interface capable of multiple functions. The control unit dynamically interprets different actuation patterns (single press, double press, long press duration, holding) and combines this with detection of machine states (heating, ready, dispensing) to dynamically assign different functions to the same physical button, enabling full functional control through one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the single push-button by varying the actuation pattern (number of presses, duration, timing) and the machine state context. The control unit monitors these parameter changes and executes corresponding control programs, allowing one physical component to control multiple functions through parameter variation rather than requiring multiple physical controls.
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine (1) for preparing a beverage comprises: an ingredient processing module (10) for processing at least one ingredient, in particular an ingredient supplied within a capsule (2) into the module; a sensing arrangement (70, 70' ) for sensing a user-request by a user-actuation of the sensing arrangement; and a control unit (60) containing different control programs for controlling the ingredient processing module executable on corresponding user-requests. The sensing arrangement (70, 70') and the control unit (60) are so arranged that each of said different user-requestable control programs is executed on a generally identical user-actuation of the sensing arrangement (70, 70' ).