Vessel Motion Activated Beverage Dispenser Interface

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Beverage dispensers in quick or full serve restaurant environments require two-handed operation, which slows down serving time, and pose difficulties for children and others due to elevated graphical user interfaces and confusion when ordering multiple beverages.

Innovation Solution

A user interface device that includes a container or vessel motion detector and microprocessor, allowing single-handed operation by translating vessel motion into graphical user interface interactions for selecting beverages and printing indicia on the vessel for identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional beverage dispenser with elevated graphical user interface is used, then beverage selection functionality is provided, but children and others have difficulty reaching the controls easily and safely

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of beverage dispenser controlsVSAvoidElevated graphical user interface positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a rotational interface on the beverage container itself that mediates between the user and the graphical user interface. The container rotates to align different beverage options with a fixed sensor array, eliminating the need for elevated controls while maintaining full beverage selection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the user reach up to an elevated graphical interface, the system inverts the approach by bringing the selection interface down to the container level. The container becomes the interactive element that rotates to present options, rather than the user manually navigating an elevated display and control panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If a crew member operates the beverage dispenser manually, then beverage selection and dispensing is possible, but two-handed operation slows down serving time

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveServing speedVSAvoidTwo-handed operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage container performs self-service by rotating automatically in response to being picked up or handled. The rotational motion is detected by sensors and automatically translates into graphical user interface navigation, allowing the container to 'select' the beverage type without requiring the user to manually operate controls with their other hand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control (pressing buttons or navigating menus with the non-dominant hand) with an automated system that detects container motion and translates it into interface control. This substitution eliminates the need for two-handed operation while maintaining precise beverage selection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If multiple beverages are placed on a single tray, then space is utilized efficiently, but it becomes difficult to tell which drink is which

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBeverage identification accuracyVSAvoidTray space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs visual differentiation through the rotational interface and graphical user interface display that changes color or appearance based on the selected beverage type. When the container rotates to different positions, the display updates to show the corresponding beverage option, providing clear visual identification without requiring separate physical markers on the tray.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate feedback by displaying the selected beverage type on the graphical user interface as the container rotates to different positions. This feedback mechanism ensures that the beverage selection is clearly indicated, eliminating confusion when multiple beverages are served and allowing customers to easily identify which drink corresponds to which container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates faster and more efficient beverage selection and dispensing, improves accessibility for children and crew members, and ensures accurate beverage identification, especially when ordering multiple types.

Implementation Method 1

a container motion detector to detect the container in motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection:

Data Source

PatentUS8757222B2Vessel activated beverage dispenser

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 THE COCA COLA CO

AI summary

A product dispenser for use with a container. The product dispenser may include a container motion detector to detect the container in motion, a graphical user interface, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor receives a plurality of data associated with the container in motion from the container motion detector and implements instructions that perform the steps of determining the motion of the container, enabling a user to interact with the graphical user interface, and allowing the user to rotate or move the container to select a product type from the graphical user interface.