Mobile-Controlled Beverage Dispensing for Touchless Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage dispensing systems require physical interaction, leading to frequent contamination and germ spread, especially in high-traffic areas like workplaces and cafeterias, necessitating a solution for touchless dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A touchless beverage dispensing system that allows users to connect their mobile devices wirelessly to a dispenser via a QR code or similar digital graphic, enabling selection and control through a mobile app or web platform, establishing a WebSocket Secure connection for remote operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If physical interaction with the dispenser is required for beverage selection and dispensing, then the user interface is simple and direct, but the dispenser becomes contaminated and spreads germs due to frequent touching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical touch-based control system with a wireless communication system. Users interact with the dispenser through a mobile device that communicates wirelessly (via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless protocols) with the dispenser's control circuitry. This substitution eliminates physical contact with the dispenser surface while maintaining full control over beverage selection and dispensing parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the dispenser. The mobile device serves as a mediator that receives user input, processes it through an application, and transmits control signals to the dispenser wirelessly. This intermediary layer allows users to control the dispenser without directly touching it, thereby preventing contamination while preserving ease of operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If touchless control via mobile device is implemented, then hygiene is improved and contamination is reduced, but the system complexity increases with wireless connectivity requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universality of mobile devices that users already possess and are familiar with. By utilizing the smartphone's existing wireless communication capabilities, camera, and processing power, the system avoids adding dedicated complex hardware for touchless interaction. The mobile device performs multiple functions: displaying the interface, capturing the code, establishing wireless connection, and controlling the dispenser.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser system generates and displays the unique identifier code automatically, and the mobile device's application automatically establishes the wireless connection and configures the control interface without requiring manual setup. The system performs self-configuration and authentication, reducing the complexity burden on the user while maintaining robust wireless connectivity.
3Reliability
If a unique identifier system with session management is used, then security and control are enhanced, but the interaction process becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser pre-generates and displays the unique identifier code before any user interaction occurs. The mobile device's application pre-configures the wireless communication protocols and authentication mechanisms in advance. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for real-time configuration during the interaction, reducing the time required for connection and verification while maintaining strong security controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements streamlined authentication and connection establishment that rapidly verifies the mobile device's access rights and establishes the wireless session. The unique identifier system enables quick matching and authentication without lengthy verification processes, allowing the system to rush through the security checks efficiently while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for beverage dispensing are disclosed herein. The beverage dispensing system can receive a connection request to pair a mobile computing device with a beverage dispensing device via a network. The connection request can include an identifier that can be verified to match a current identifier associated with the beverage dispersing device. The beverage dispensing system can generate a session between the mobile computing device and the beverage dispensing device that replicates a user interface of the beverage dispensing device on the mobile computing device. The beverage dispensing system can receive inputs from the mobile computing device during the session to obtain configuration parameters for a beverage and dispense the beverage from a nozzle based on the configuration parameters.