Beverage Ingredient Containers

Abstract

A beverage ingredient container for preparing a beverage by a beverage dispensing device. The container has: a first optical code on a first surface of the container, wherein the first optical code is positioned on the first surface to be read by an optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device when the container is received by the device in a first orientation; and a second optical code on a second surface of the container, wherein the second optical code is positioned on the second surface to be read by an optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device when the container is in a second orientation. The first optical code and the second optical code both store container-related information including a container identifier, wherein when the optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device reads the container identifier, the beverage dispensing device can use the container identifier to control beverage preparation.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to United Kingdom Patent Application No. 1813477.5 filed on August 17, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present technology relates to beverage ingredient containers, beverage dispensing devices, and methods of operating such devices. Background Art

[0004] It is known to use beverage ingredient containers in beverage dispensing devices to prepare beverages, such as coffee or tea. The beverage ingredient container is usually shaped to contain the beverage making ingredients and is inserted into a holder of the beverage dispensing device. The beverage dispensing device then injects water into the container to dissolve or inject the beverage ingredients into the water to form a beverage. The beverage flows out of the container through a suitable outlet, which may simply be an opening or perforation in the container. The container may include a filter to prevent solid ingredients, such as ground coffee, from flowing out of the container.

[0005] Beverage dispensing devices are typically configured to accommodate a variety of different containers (container types) corresponding to a variety of beverage types, and the user selects the container that will be used to prepare their desired beverage by inserting the desired container into the holder. Different types of beverages will typically need to be prepared differently, and beverage dispensing devices are able to do this using different sets of beverage making parameters, such as the volume of water passing through the container, the water flow rate, the residence time of the water in the container, and the water temperature.

[0006] In a typical beverage dispensing device, a user interface is provided through which the user must inform the beverage dispensing device of the container (or beverage type) that has been or will be inserted into the holder. The user will then have to select one or more beverage making parameters for the preparation of the beverage.

[0007] It would be desirable to provide an improved beverage ingredient container and beverage dispensing apparatus. Summary of the invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the technology described in the present invention, a beverage ingredient container is provided, which is used to prepare a beverage by a beverage dispensing device; wherein the container is received in a holder of the beverage dispensing device in a first orientation or a second orientation, wherein in the first orientation, the first surface of the container faces an optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device, and in the second orientation, the second surface of the container faces the optical scanner; the container includes: a first optical code on the first surface of the container, when the container is in the first orientation, the first optical code is positioned on the first surface to be read by the optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device; and a second optical code on the second surface of the container, wherein when the container is in the second orientation, the second optical code is positioned on the second surface to be read by the optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device. Wherein, the first optical code and the second optical code each store container-related information including a container identifier, wherein when the optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device reads the container identifier, the beverage dispensing device can use the container identifier to control beverage preparation.

[0009] In this way, the container type can be automatically identified by the beverage dispensing device, and the device can automatically affect the preparation of the beverage according to the specific beverage type related to the identified container. For example, after identifying the container type, the user interface of the beverage dispensing device can be used to instruct consumers on how to deliver the beverage type that meets their requirements.

[0010] By providing the optical code on both surfaces of the container in such a way that the container identifier will be readable for two different orientations of the container, it is ensured that the device can operate as above regardless of the orientation of the container in the holder of the device, thereby increasing the user's convenience of use. That is, the technology described in the present invention allows the user to insert the container into the holder of the beverage dispensing device in multiple orientations while ensuring that the beverage dispensing device can still control the preparation of the beverage in the above-mentioned manner.

[0011] Additionally, the techniques described herein eliminate the need for a user to notify the beverage dispensing apparatus of the type of container that has been or is about to be inserted into the holder, thereby providing a simplified user interface.

[0012] In addition, the container identifier allows the beverage dispensing device to monitor or track the order in which the containers are used to prepare a multi-container beverage. For example, when it is detected that a container (to be used later in a multi-container beverage preparation process) has been inserted into the beverage dispensing device too early, the beverage dispensing device can indicate to the user that an incorrect container has been used.

[0013] The beverage ingredient container may include a front piece and a back piece. The front piece and the back piece may be formed (at least in part) by a liquid-tight and air-tight sheet. The front piece and the back piece may be permanently bonded together around their top and side edges to form a capsule or bag. The front piece and the back piece may also be releasably bonded together along the bottom edge of the container. The bonding along the bottom edge of the container may be releasable under the action of heat or pressure inside the container. The bonding along the bottom edge of the container may be by a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The container may include a folded filter material web (e.g., suitable for supporting the beverage ingredient thereon), which is bonded to the inner wall of the front piece and the back piece. The container may include a nozzle having a tubular hole. The nozzle may be inserted into the top edge of the capsule and bonded to the front piece and the back piece in an airtight manner.

[0014] The optical scanner can be configured to capture an image of the optical code being scanned. The optical scanner can be configured to process the captured image to extract information encoded within the optical code. This can be done by converting the captured image into a plurality of digital values ​​and decoding the plurality of digital values ​​to extract the information encoded within the optical code (e.g., a container identifier).

[0015] In addition to the container identifier, at least one of the first optical code and the second optical code may store supplemental container related information.

[0016] The supplemental container-related information may include one or more of: an identifier of a beverage type associated with the container identifier; an indication of the weight of a beverage ingredient stored in the container, an indication of the geometry of the container; and an identifier of a nozzle that is compatible with the container.

[0017] The first optical code may store more container-related information than the second optical code.

[0018] The first optical code may occupy a surface area on the first surface that is greater than the surface area on the second surface that is occupied by the second optical code.

[0019] The first surface can be the rear surface of the container, and the second surface can be the front surface of the container. In this way, the larger surface area of ​​the front side of the container can be used for marketing materials and trademarks.

[0020] The first optical code may be in the form of a first bar code.The second optical code may be in the form of a second bar code different from the first bar code.

[0021] The container-related information may be encoded in the first barcode according to the UPC-A barcode standard. The container-related information may be encoded in the second barcode according to the Code-2 of 5 barcode standard.

[0022] According to another aspect of the technology described in the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for preparing a beverage from a container according to any one of the preceding claims, the apparatus comprising: a holder for accommodating the container therein; an optical scanner configured to read container-related information stored in a first optical code if the container is accepted by the holder in a first orientation, and to read container-related information stored in a second optical code if the container is accepted by the holder in a second orientation; and a controller configured to control the preparation of the beverage based on a container identifier included in the container-related information that has been read by the optical scanner.

[0023] The controller may be configured to control preparation of the beverage by determining a set of one or more beverage making parameters for preparing the beverage based at least in part on the container identifier.

[0024] To facilitate this, the beverage dispensing device (e.g., a controller of the beverage dispensing device) may include or be in communication with a database containing a plurality of different sets of beverage making parameters for various container types (container identifiers). In that case, determining a set of one or more beverage making parameters for preparing the beverage based at least in part on the container identifier may include obtaining the set of beverage making parameters from an entry in the database corresponding to the container identifier.

[0025] A set of one or more beverage making parameters may be used to prepare a beverage from the container (i.e., without any further input from the user). Alternatively, a set of one or more beverage making parameters may be used to instruct the user on how to prepare a beverage type as desired by them. For example, a set of one or more beverage making parameters may include selectable beverage making parameters suitable for preparing a beverage type, and the user may select between the one or more beverage making parameters used by the container to prepare the beverage.

[0026] Optionally, the controller may be configured to control the preparation of the beverage by determining a set of one or more beverage making parameters for preparing the beverage based on the container identifier and the refill container related information.

[0027] In such an arrangement, the extent to which a set of one or more beverage making parameters is determined based on the container related information stored in the optical code being read by the optical scanner may depend on the extent to which the complementary container related information is stored in the optical code.

[0028] In some arrangements, all supplemental container-related information necessary to determine a set of one or more beverage making parameters may be provided by the optical code, in which case the controller may use that information to determine a set of one or more beverage making parameters. However, in other arrangements, some but not all container-related information is provided in the read optical code (e.g., the second optical code), e.g., only the container identifier, and the beverage dispensing device may obtain supplemental information from other sources such as a stored or online database.

[0029] The controller can be configured to obtain the supplementary container related information by determining whether the container related information read by the optical scanner includes the supplementary container related information; and, if it is determined that the container related information read by the optical scanner does not include the supplementary container related information, obtain the supplementary container related information from different sources based on the container identification; conversely, if it is determined that the container related information read by the optical scanner does include the supplementary container related information, obtain the supplementary container related information from the container related information read by the optical scanner.

[0030] Obtaining supplemental container-related information from a different source based on the container identifier may include obtaining the supplemental container-related information from an entry in a database that corresponds to the container identifier.

[0031] The beverage dispensing apparatus may be configured to prepare a beverage from the container using a set of one or more beverage making parameters.

[0032] The beverage dispensing device may further include a user interface, the user interface including an electronic display. The user interface may be configured to receive input from a user of the device. The set of one or more beverage making parameters may include optional beverage making parameters defined for the container. The controller may be configured to display the optional beverage making parameters defined for the container to the user on the electronic display. If the user interface receives an input corresponding to a selection of one of the optional beverage making parameters displayed on the electronic display, a beverage is prepared from the container using the selected beverage making parameter.

[0033] According to another aspect of the technology described in the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a beverage dispensing device, the method being suitable for preparing a beverage from a beverage ingredient container, the beverage ingredient container comprising a first optical code positioned on a first surface of the container, and a second optical code positioned on a second surface of the container, wherein the first optical code and the second optical code each store container-related information including a container identifier. The method comprises: receiving the container in a holder of the beverage dispensing device in a first orientation (wherein the first optical code faces an optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device) or a second orientation (wherein the second optical code faces an optical scanner); reading, by an optical scanner, the container-related information stored in the first optical code or the second optical code, respectively, depending on whether the container is received in the holder in the first orientation or in the second orientation; and controlling beverage preparation by a controller of the beverage dispensing device based on the container identifier included in the container-related information that has been read by the optical scanner.

[0034] Controlling beverage preparation based on the container identifier may include determining a set of one or more beverage making parameters for preparing the beverage based at least in part on the container identifier.

[0035] Controlling the beverage preparation based on the container identifier may comprise determining a set of one or more beverage making parameters for preparing the beverage based on the container identifier and the information related to the replenishing container.

[0036] The method may further include obtaining the supplementary container related information by determining whether the container related information read by the optical scanner includes the supplementary container related information. The method may include: if it is determined that the container related information read by the optical scanner does not include the supplementary container related information, obtaining the supplementary container related information from a different source based on the container identifier. The method may include: if it is determined that the container related information read by the optical scanner does include the supplementary container related information, obtaining the supplementary container related information from the container related information read by the optical scanner.

[0037] Obtaining supplemental container-related information from a different source based on the container identifier may include obtaining the supplemental container-related information from an entry in a database that corresponds to the container identifier.

[0038] The method may further comprise preparing, by the beverage dispensing device, a beverage from the container using a set of one or more beverage making parameters.

[0039] The set of one or more beverage making parameters may include selectable beverage making parameters defined for the container. The method may further include displaying the selectable beverage making parameters defined for the container to a user of the beverage dispensing device on an electronic display; and receiving a user input corresponding to a selection of one of the selectable beverage making parameters displayed on the electronic display; and preparing a beverage from the container using the selected beverage making parameter.

[0040] Various elements described about the device for preparing beverages from containers, such as electronic displays or display screens, online databases, and controllers, can be connected to each other via wireless communication links, and therefore can include transceiver circuits and one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the elements described in the present invention can be connected to each other via wired communication links and therefore can include interface circuits. It should be understood that the elements described in the present invention can be connected to each other via any combination of wired and / or wireless communication links.

[0041] The apparatus described herein (and various associated elements) may include any suitable circuitry to cause the execution of the methods described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings. The apparatus may include: at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); and / or at least one field programmable gate array (FPGA); and / or a single processor or multi-processor architecture; and / or a sequential (von Neumann) / parallel architecture; and / or at least one programmable logic controller (PLC); and / or at least one microprocessor; and / or at least one microcontroller; and / or a central processing unit (CPU); and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU) to perform the method.

[0042] The apparatus may include and / or communicate with one or more memories storing data described herein and / or storing software for performing the processes described herein. The memory may be any suitable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, one or more data storage devices, and may include a hard disk and / or solid-state memory (e.g., flash memory). The memory may be a permanent, non-removable memory or a removable memory (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive).

[0043] The memory may store a computer program including computer readable instructions which, when read by a controller or processor, result in the execution of the method described in the present invention and as shown in the figures. The computer program may be software or firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0044] Any aspect may include any combination of features and / or limitations mentioned with respect to any of the above statements, unless combinations of features are mutually exclusive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Arrangements of the techniques described in the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0046] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispensing apparatus arranged in accordance with an embodiment;

[0047] Figure 2 Arranged according to the embodiment Figure 1 A front view of a beverage dispensing device and a beverage ingredient container;

[0048] Figure 3 and FIG. 4 shows an arrangement according to an embodiment Figure 2 beverage ingredient containers;

[0049] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Shows Figure 2 Insertion of the beverage ingredient container in the beverage dispensing device to FIG. 4 ;

[0050] Figure 7 and Figure 8 illustrates different orientations that a beverage ingredient container may assume relative to a scanner of a beverage dispensing device when received in a holder of the beverage dispensing device;

[0051] Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a beverage ingredient container arranged in accordance with an embodiment;

[0052] Fig.10 is a flow chart schematically illustrating the operation of the beverage dispensing device; and

[0053] Fig.11 Schematically shows the Fig.10 Flow diagram of a user interface of a beverage dispensing device during operation of the beverage dispensing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] refer to Figure 1 , an embodiment beverage dispensing apparatus 200 is shown.

[0055] The beverage dispensing device 200 includes a water tank accessible through a cover 202 on the top of the beverage dispensing device 200, and a container compartment having a door 204 for accommodating disposable beverage ingredient containers (commonly referred to as filter bags, freshness packs or bags) for single use. The beverage dispensing device 200 also includes a box 206 located below the container compartment and receiving the beverage ingredient containers after use. The box 206 is received in a cavity formed in the beverage dispensing device 200. A removable drip tray 208 is provided at the bottom of the beverage dispensing device 200. The drip tray 208 includes: a grid that forms a support surface for supporting a cup or other container for receiving a beverage from the beverage dispensing device 200; and a tray portion located below the grid for catching any spillage through the grid.

[0056] The beverage dispensing apparatus 200 further comprises a user interface in the form of a display screen 210 and a plurality of selection buttons 212 for allowing a user to control functions of the beverage dispensing apparatus 200. For example, the plurality of selection buttons 212 allow a user to select beverage making parameters as will be further described below.

[0057] Figure 2 An assembled beverage dispensing device having an exemplary beverage ingredient container 100 is shown, as will be described below with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4 are described in detail.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown in Figure 4, the exemplary beverage ingredient container 100 includes a front piece 110 and a back piece 112 of a liquid-proof and air-proof sheet material, which are permanently bonded together around its top edge 114 and side edges 116 to form a capsule. As described in more detail below. The front piece 110 and the back piece 112 are also bonded together along the bottom edge 120 of the container, but this bonding is releasable under the action of heat or pressure inside the container. For example, the bonding of the bottom edge 120 can be through a pressure-sensitive adhesive. In the container 100 is a folded filter material mesh 130 bonded to the inner wall of the front piece and the back piece. The filter material mesh 130 supports a beverage preparation ingredient 150, such as ground coffee or tea leaves. The container 100 also includes a nozzle 140 with a tubular hole 142. The nozzle 140 is inserted into the top edge of the capsule and bonded to the front piece and the back piece in an airtight manner, and the nozzle has a flange to help the container 100 to be correctly located in the beverage dispensing device 200. The nozzle hole 142 is first sealed by a suitable airtight fresh-keeping barrier.

[0059] 4, when hot water is introduced through the injection tube and the nozzle hole 142, the beverage preparation ingredients 150 contained in the container 100 are mixed with the hot water and a beverage is brewed. The bottom seam 120 of the container 100 is opened under the action of the heat and liquid pressure inside the container to define a beverage dispensing point, and the beverage passes through the filter 130 and the opened bottom of the container and is collected in a cup or other container located below the container.

[0060] In use, such as Figure 5 and 6 As shown, the container 100 is introduced into the container compartment of the beverage dispensing device 200 via a retainer 216 in the door 204. The door 204 is pivotable between an open position and a closed position.

[0061] like Figure 6 As shown, the upper surface of the container compartment includes a nozzle guide 214, which receives the nozzle 140 of the container 100. When the door 204 is closed, the nozzle 140 slides along the guide 214, and the guide 214 thereby guides the nozzle 140 to align with the injection tube (not shown). The injection tube is inserted into the nozzle hole 142, thereby piercing the freshness barrier. The water tank of the beverage dispensing device 200 is connected to the injection tube by a fluid supply line provided with a pump and a water heater. Therefore, the water from the water tank is pumped and heated before being discharged from the injection tube into the container 100.

[0062] 4, when hot water is introduced through the injection tube and the nozzle hole 142, the beverage preparation ingredients 150 contained in the container 100 are mixed with the hot water and the beverage is brewed. The bottom seam 120 of the container 100 is opened by the heat and liquid pressure inside the container, and the beverage passes through the filter 130 and the opened bottom of the container and is collected in a cup or other container located below the container.

[0063] like Figure 7 and 8 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the container 100 is formed as follows. Figure 7 The first orientation shown or Figure 8The second orientation shown is held in the holder 216 of the door 204, with the first rear surface 112 of the container 100 facing the body 218 of the beverage dispensing device 200 in the first orientation and the second front surface 110 of the container 100 facing the body 218 in the second orientation. Specifically, the container 100 is held in the holder 216 of the beverage dispensing device 200 such that when the container 100 is received in the first orientation, the rear surface 112 faces the optical scanner 701 housed in the body 218 of the device 200, and such that when the container 100 is received in the second orientation, the front surface 110 faces the optical scanner 701. When the door 204 is in the closed position, some or all of the container 100 falls within the field of view 702 of the scanner 701. In addition, the scanner 701 can operate in the infrared spectrum.

[0064] like Fig. 9 As schematically shown in FIG. 1 , the container 100 includes a first optical code 91 located on a rear surface 112 of the container 100, wherein the first optical code 91 is positioned on the rear surface 112 at a position that falls within a field of view 702 of an optical scanner 701 of the beverage dispensing device 200 when the container 100 is in a first orientation. The container 100 also includes a second optical code 92 located on a front surface 110 of the container 100 at a position that falls within a field of view 702 of the optical scanner 701 when the container 100 is in a second orientation.

[0065] The optical scanner is configured to capture an image (i.e., image data representation) of an optical code (e.g., a bar code sequence of parallel lines, for example) being scanned, which can then be processed to extract information encoded within the optical code. For example, the image will be converted into a plurality of digital values, which can then be decoded to extract the information encoded within the optical code (e.g., a container identifier). The image is processed by a processor within the beverage dispensing device itself. This is in contrast to a hypothetical arrangement in which the image can be sent to a remote computer, such as a computer, via a network such as the Internet or using one or more cloud servers for remote processing from the beverage dispensing device.

[0066] The exact method of converting the image data into a plurality of digital values ​​and decoding them will depend on the manner in which the information is encoded in the optical code. In the example shown in the drawings, the first optical code 91 and the second optical code 92 are both in the form of bar codes, which are optical, machine-readable representations of data. Any suitable bar code technology known in the art may be used. However, in Fig. 9In an embodiment of the present invention, the barcode encodes (in other words, stores) information therein by systematically varying the width and spacing of parallel lines, and may be referred to as a one-dimensional (1D) barcode. Of course, other types of barcodes may be used instead, such as a two-dimensional barcode that does not necessarily use parallel bars. Accordingly, the optical scanner is in the form of a barcode reader and may be configured to operate in accordance with any known barcode reader technology. For example, the barcode reader may operate in accordance with any one or more of a pen-type scanner, a laser scanner, a CCD reader, and an omnidirectional barcode scanner known in the art.

[0067] The first optical code 91 and the second optical code 92 each store container-related information, including information indicating the container 100 itself (or more precisely, the type of beverage or beverage ingredients included therein). Fig. 9 In an embodiment of the present invention, the first optical code 91 and the second optical code 92 each store at least a container identifier. In this case, the container identifier is a stock keeping unit (SKU), which is a unique identifier, such as a unique number or code, for identifying the type of beverage for which the container involved in the beverage is prepared. The beverage dispensing device 200 can use the container identifier to control one aspect of beverage preparation. For example, the SKU can indicate to the beverage dispensing device 200 that the container 100 will be used to prepare a specific coffee (or alternatively, for example, tea or cold drinks), and the beverage dispensing device will use this information to determine the appropriate beverage manufacturing parameters (e.g., water volume, water residence time, etc.) for preparing the beverage from the container 100.

[0068] It will be appreciated that using SKU as a container identifier can also be advantageous because it can be used to manage the inventory of a manufacturer of such containers. For example, when a business takes inventory of its inventory, it will be able to calculate the quantity of each of its SKUs.

[0069] In some cases, it may be desirable to determine beverage manufacturing parameters based on other container related information in addition to the container identifier. Such additional information may be referred to as supplementary container related information in the present invention and may be used by the beverage dispensing device together with the container identifier to control the preparation of the beverage. The supplementary container related information includes one or more of the following: a beverage type identifier associated with the container identifier, an indication of the weight of the beverage ingredient stored in the container, an indication of the geometry of the container, and an identifier of a syringe compatible with the container.

[0070] In situations where supplemental information is used in conjunction with a container identifier to control beverage preparation, an optical code contained on the container may store all of the supplemental container related information to enable a beverage dispensing device to determine a set of one or more beverage making parameters for the container. However, it will be appreciated that the greater the amount of information stored by the optical code, the greater the surface area that the optical code must occupy to effectively encode that information. This takes up valuable space on the surface of the container 100 that could otherwise be used for other purposes, such as providing marketing materials to consumers. Therefore, in some cases, it is desirable for one of the optical codes to be smaller than the other to free up space on the surface. Therefore, in Fig. 9 In the arrangement of the first optical code 91 on the rear surface 112 has a larger surface area than the second optical code 92 on the front surface 110, and the first optical code 91 therefore stores more container-related information than the second optical code. The first optical code 91 is encoded according to the "UPC-A" bar code standard, i.e., it is encoded in the form of a 12-digit universal product code, while the second optical code 92 is encoded according to "Code-2 of 5", i.e., interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF), a continuous two-width bar code standard.

[0071] The first optical code 91 stores all of the supplemental container-related information required by the beverage dispensing apparatus to determine a set of one or more beverage making parameters for the container 100. However, the second optical code 92 on the front surface 110 stores only the container identifier. In this manner, the container 100 is configured such that regardless of the orientation of the container 100 when it is received by the holder 216, the beverage dispensing apparatus 200 will be able to determine at least the container identifier while minimizing the surface area on the front surface 110 of the container 100 occupied by the second optical code 92.

[0072] The beverage dispensing device 200 is configured to determine the supplemental information from the optical code, reading the optical code only to the extent that the supplemental information is stored in the optical code. For example, the beverage dispensing device 200 is configured such that if the read optical code does not contain supplemental container related information, or contains some but not all supplemental container related information required to determine a set of beverage making parameters for the container, it will obtain at least some of the supplemental container related information from other sources as needed.

[0073] In particular, the beverage dispensing device 200 is configured such that it first determines whether the container-related information that has been read by the optical scanner 701 includes supplementary container-related information. If it is determined based on the information stored in the optical code that the container-related information that has been read by the optical scanner 701 does not include supplementary container-related information, the beverage dispensing device 200 obtains the supplementary container-related information from a different source (such as an internal or external, e.g., online, database) based on the container identifier. For example, the database may include multiple entries for each container identifier, and each entry may include a full set of beverage manufacturing parameters for the container identifier, which is appropriately retrieved by the beverage dispensing device 200.

[0074] If it is determined that the container-related information that the optical scanner 701 has read does include supplementary container-related information, the beverage dispensing device 200 obtains the supplementary container-related information from the container-related information that the optical scanner 701 has read. In some cases, the beverage dispensing device 200 may be configured to determine whether the optical code stores all required supplementary container-related information, and if not, determine which supplementary container-related information is missing. The beverage dispensing device 200 will then obtain the missing information from other sources as above.

[0075] Now refer to Fig.10 Description When referring to the above Fig. 9 The overall operation of the beverage dispensing device 200 when preparing a beverage from a beverage ingredient container of the type described. In this arrangement, the beverage dispensing device 200 is configured to control beverage preparation by preparing a beverage from the container 100 according to a set of beverage making parameters determined based on the container identifier and supplementary container related information.

[0076] like Fig.10 As shown, the method starts at step 101 when a user of a beverage dispensing device presses a button to turn on the device. Thereafter, at step 102, the user places a container in a holder of the device. The container is inserted into the holder in either a first orientation, in which the first optical code faces an optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device, or a second orientation, in which the second optical code faces the optical scanner.

[0077] In step 103, the beverage dispensing device will read the container-related information stored in the first optical code or the second optical code, depending on whether the container is received by the holder in the first orientation or in the second orientation, respectively. After reading the container-related information in step 103, the beverage dispensing device will determine the container identifier from the read optical code by decoding the optical code.

[0078] In step 104, the beverage dispensing device also determines the supplementary container related information. As above, the manner in which this is accomplished depends on the container related information stored in the optical code being read by the scanner. In particular, in the case where the optical code stores only the container identifier, the beverage dispensing device obtains the supplementary container related information from different sources. However, in the case where all supplementary container related information is stored in the optical code, the beverage dispensing device will obtain and determine the supplementary container related information from the optical code in question. In other arrangements, the beverage dispensing device is configured to determine the supplementary information from the optical code being read and one or more other sources.

[0079] At step 105, the beverage dispensing device determines a set of one or more beverage making parameters based on the container identifier and the determined supplementary container related information. Fig.11 As shown, a set of beverage making parameters may include a set of optional parameter selections defined for container related information, in this case optional water volume selections. These selections may be presented to the user on the electronic display 210 as icons corresponding to a "small" 61, "medium" 62, or "large" 63 volume of water (for preparing coffee from the particular container in question). It will be appreciated that the optional water volume selections corresponding to the icons displayed to the user may be specific and tailored to the type of beverage associated with the container, rather than a generic volume selection that would otherwise be presented to the user regardless of which beverage is to be prepared.

[0080] In step 106 the user then selects one of the selectable beverage making parameters displayed on the electronic display 210, for example the "large" icon 63, and in step 107 the beverage dispensing apparatus will accordingly prepare the beverage from the container using the selected beverage making parameters.

[0081] Although the above Fig.10 and Fig.11 The operation of the beverage dispensing device including a user selection phase is described, but this is not necessary. Instead, the beverage dispensing device may simply determine the beverage making parameters to be used for preparing a beverage from the container without further input from the user.

[0082] As described, the techniques described herein enable beverage dispensing apparatus 200 to be provided with only a single optical scanner 701. Although it has been described as being housed in body 218 of apparatus 200, it will be appreciated that it may alternatively be located in door 204 or any other element of apparatus 200.

[0083] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that while the present invention describes techniques using barcodes as optical codes, this is not required. It is also possible and in some cases desirable to use other encoding methods, such as radio frequency identification, color or shape recognition techniques. For example, each container type may be associated with a different color (in this case, a container identifier), and the scanner may be configured to detect the container type (container identifier) ​​based on the detected color.

[0084] It will be understood that the technology described in the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned arrangement, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept described in the present invention. Except where mutually exclusive, any feature can be used alone or in combination with any other feature, and the present disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

Claims

1. A beverage ingredient container for preparing a beverage by a beverage dispensing device; in, the container being received in a holder of the beverage dispensing device in a first orientation in which a first surface of the container faces an optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device or in a second orientation in which a second surface of the container faces the optical scanner; The container comprises: a first optical code on the first surface of the container, wherein the first optical code is positioned on the first surface to be read by the optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device when the container is in the first orientation; and a second optical code located on the second surface of the container, wherein the second optical code is positioned on the second surface to be read by the optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device when the container is in the second orientation; wherein the first optical code and the second optical code each store container related information including a container identifier, wherein when the optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device reads the container identifier, the beverage dispensing device uses the container identifier to control beverage preparation, and wherein the second optical code is different from the first optical code, wherein the first optical code is in the form of a first bar code and the second optical code is in the form of a second bar code, and wherein a first surface area occupied by the first optical code on the first surface of the container is greater than a second surface area occupied by the second optical code on the second surface of the container, Wherein, the first surface of the container is the rear surface of the container, and the second surface of the container is the front surface of the container.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein At least one of the first optical code and the second optical code stores supplemental container-related information in addition to the container identifier.

3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first optical code stores more container-related information than the second optical code.

4. A device for preparing a beverage, the device comprising a beverage dispensing device and a beverage ingredient container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The beverage dispensing device comprises: a holder for receiving the container therein; an optical scanner configured to read the container-related information stored in the first optical code if the container is received by the holder in the first orientation, and to read the container-related information stored in the second optical code if the container is received by the holder in the second orientation; and A controller is configured to control beverage preparation based on the container identifier included in the container-related information read by the optical scanner.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The controller is configured to control beverage preparation by: A set of one or more beverage making parameters for preparing the beverage is determined based at least in part on the container identifier.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The controller is configured to control beverage preparation by: A set of one or more beverage making parameters for preparing the beverage is determined based on the container identifier and the supplemental container related information.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein: The controller is configured to obtain the supplemented container-related information in the following manner: determining whether the container-related information read by the optical scanner includes supplemental container-related information; and If it is determined that the container-related information read by the optical scanner does not include supplementary container-related information: Based on the container identifier, the supplemental container-related information is obtained from a different source; however, If it is determined that the container-related information read by the optical scanner does include supplementary container-related information: The supplemented container-related information is obtained from the container-related information that has been read by the optical scanner.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: Obtaining the supplementary container-related information from different sources based on the container identifier includes: The supplemental container-related information is obtained from an entry in a database corresponding to the container identifier.

9. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The apparatus is configured to prepare the beverage from the container using the set of one or more beverage making parameters.

10. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a user interface comprising an electronic display, wherein the user interface is configured to receive input from a user of the apparatus; wherein the set of one or more beverage making parameters comprises optional beverage making parameters defined for the container; and Wherein, the controller is configured as follows: displaying the selectable beverage making parameters defined for the container to the user on the electronic display; and If the user interface receives an input corresponding to a selection of one of the selectable beverage making parameters displayed on the electronic display, the beverage is prepared from the container using the selected beverage making parameter.

11. A method of operating a beverage dispensing device, the method being adapted to prepare a beverage from a beverage ingredient container, the beverage ingredient container comprising a first optical code positioned on a first surface of the container, and a second optical code positioned on a second surface of the container, wherein: The first optical code and the second optical code are different and each stores container-related information including a container identifier, wherein the first optical code is in the form of a first bar code and the second optical code is in the form of a second bar code, and wherein a first surface area occupied by the first optical code on the first surface of the container is greater than a second surface area occupied by the second optical code on the second surface of the container; The method comprises: receiving the container in a holder of the beverage dispensing device in a first orientation wherein the first optical code faces an optical scanner of the beverage dispensing device or in a second orientation wherein the second optical code faces the optical scanner; reading, by the optical scanner, the container-related information stored in the first optical code or the second optical code depending on whether the container is received in the holder in the first orientation or the second orientation, respectively; and controlling beverage preparation by a controller of the beverage dispensing device based on the container identifier included in the container-related information that has been read by the optical scanner, Wherein, the first surface of the container is the rear surface of the container, and the second surface of the container is the front surface of the container.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Controlling beverage preparation based on the container identifier comprises: A set of one or more beverage making parameters for preparing the beverage is determined based at least in part on the container identifier.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Controlling beverage preparation based on the container identifier comprises: Based on the container identifier and the supplemented container-related information, a set of one or more beverage making parameters for preparing the beverage is determined.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: The supplemented container related information is obtained by: determining whether the container-related information read by the optical scanner includes the supplemented container-related information; as well as If it is determined that the container-related information read by the optical scanner does not include the supplementary container-related information: Based on the container identification, the supplementary container-related information is obtained from different sources; however, If it is determined that the container-related information read by the optical scanner does include the supplementary container-related information: The supplemented container-related information is obtained from the container-related information that has been read by the optical scanner.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: Obtaining the supplementary container-related information from different sources based on the container identifier includes: The supplemental container-related information is obtained from an entry in a database corresponding to the container identifier.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising: The beverage dispensing device prepares the beverage from the container using the set of one or more beverage making parameters.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein: the set of one or more beverage making parameters comprising selectable beverage making parameters defined for the container; as well as The method further comprises: displaying the selectable beverage making parameters defined for the container to a user of the beverage dispensing apparatus on an electronic display; receiving user input corresponding to a selection of one of the selectable beverage making parameters displayed on the electronic display; and The beverage is prepared from the container using the selected beverage making parameters.

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