Beverage preparation machine capable of determining a beverage volume of receptacles and corresponding method

Abstract

A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises a first camera (5) for capturing a first image of a receptacle (4), and a second camera (6) for capturing a second image of the receptacle (4). The machine (1) further comprises a control unit (7) configured to determine a receptacle volume based on the first image and the second image, and to determine a beverage volume to be dispensed based on the receptacle volume and a selected filling level or percentage. Regardless of the shape, volume, and/or material of the receptacle (4), the filling level or percentage for dispensing the beverage can be freely selected via a user interface (8).

Description

technical field [0001] 1. The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine capable of determining the beverage volume of a container and a corresponding beverage preparation method. In particular, the beverage preparation machine and method allow for precise beverage volumes to be dispensed into containers in response to user selection of a desired fill volume, percentage or level for containers having different shapes, volumes and / or materials. Background technique [0002] 2. Beverage preparation machines using capsules containing beverage ingredients to be extracted or dissolved are known from the prior art. Other beverage preparation machines use beverage ingredients that are stored and automatically metered into the machine and dissolved in a liquid, usually water. For both types of beverage preparation machines, the filling of prepared beverages into containers, such as cups or glasses, is usually controlled in a number of different ways. [0003] 3. F...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] 5. A disadvantage is that none of the above-mentioned ways of filling a container allow the user to freely select the desired filling volume in a simple manner and regardless of the type of container

One disadvantage is that the user must remain attentive throughout the beverage preparation process, especially during the filling of the beverage into the container, in order to avoid spillage of the beverage

Yet another disadvantage is that the control of the desired beverage volume as the dispensed beverage is not very precise

[0007] 7. Furthermore, a problem is that the material, shape and / or volume of the containers of different users of the beverage preparation machine will usually be different

One disadvantage is that due to the way incident signals are detected and then compared, the unit does not provide sufficient detection accuracy, especially for coffee containers

Yet another disadvantage is that the device is not suitable for use with translucent containers

Finally, another disadvantage is that the device does not allow the selection of different filling volumes, i.e. filling levels of the container

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